freshwater
Golden Shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Deep-bodied, laterally compressed minnow with a distinctively decurved lateral line. Large, reflective cycloid scales. Adults often have a brassy or golden coloration, while juveniles are silver with a dark lateral stripe. Dorsal fin starts behind the pelvic fin origin.…
- Habitat
- Prefers quiet, vegetated waters such as ponds, lakes, an…
- Size & weight
- Commonly 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm);…
- Diet
- Omnivorous filter feeder and opportunistic grazer;…
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Physical characteristics
Deep-bodied, laterally compressed minnow with a distinctively decurved lateral line. Large, reflective cycloid scales. Adults often have a brassy or golden coloration, while juveniles are silver with a dark lateral stripe. Dorsal fin starts behind the pelvic fin origin. A fleshy keel exists between the pelvic fins and the anus.
Habitat & distribution
Prefers quiet, vegetated waters such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Native to eastern North America but widely introduced elsewhere. Highly tolerant of low oxygen and pollution.
Behavior
Highly social schooling fish that spends much of its time in or near aquatic vegetation for protection from predators. Mostly diurnal.
Diet
Omnivorous filter feeder and opportunistic grazer; consumes zooplankton, phytoplankton, small insects, and algae.
Reproduction
Broadcast spawners that lay adhesive eggs on aquatic vegetation or filamentous algae during late spring and summer. They sometimes spawn in the nests of sunfish or largemouth bass.
Ecological role
Significant forage fish for larger predatory species like bass and pike; serves as a primary link in the food web between plankton and top predators.
Similar species
Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) which has redder fins and a more serrated keel; Common Shiner which has a more slender body and different lateral line shape.
Identification tips
Look for the deeply decurved lateral line that sags toward the belly and the scaleless keel between the pelvic fins and the anal fin.
Interesting facts
Golden shiners are one of the most widely used baitfish in North America. They have excellent hearing due to the Weberian apparatus, a series of small bones connecting the swim bladder to the inner ear.