Emerald Shiner
Notropis atherinoides
- Class
- Ray-finned fish
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 769
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. The identifying characteristic of the emerald shiner is the silvery emerald color on its sides. It is found across North America from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, commonly in large, deep lakes and rivers, though sometimes in smaller bodies of water as well. It feeds on small organisms such as zooplankton and insects, congregating in large groups near the surface of the water. It is a quite common fish and is often used as a bait fish.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Emerald shiner”.