freshwater
Golden Shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Deep, laterally compressed body with a distinctively arched back. Large, silvery to golden scales with yellowish-green to olive dorsal coloration and silvery-white sides and belly. Fins are yellowish to olive, and the mouth is small and upturned.…
- Habitat
- Found in slow-moving or still fresh waters such as lakes…
- Size & weight
- Typically ranges from 7.5 to 12.5 cm (3 to 5 inches) in…
- Diet
- Omnivorous; feeds primarily on zooplankton, small insect…
Identified More freshwater →
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Physical characteristics
Deep, laterally compressed body with a distinctively arched back. Large, silvery to golden scales with yellowish-green to olive dorsal coloration and silvery-white sides and belly. Fins are yellowish to olive, and the mouth is small and upturned. It possesses a sharp, fleshy keel on its belly between the pelvic and anal fins lacking scales.
Habitat & distribution
Found in slow-moving or still fresh waters such as lakes, ponds, oxbows, backwaters, and quiet pools of streams. They heavily prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, muddy or sandy bottoms, and warm temperatures.
Behavior
Highly gregarious, forming large schools in shallow vegetated waters. Active during the day, constantly searching for food near the surface or among weeds.
Diet
Omnivorous; feeds primarily on zooplankton, small insects, algae, and sometimes filamentous plant matter.
Reproduction
Spawns in spring and early summer among dense aquatic vegetation. Eggs are adhesive and stick to plants, receiving no parental care after fertilization.
Ecological role
Acts as an important prey species for many predatory freshwater fish and waterbirds. They also serve as hosts for the glochidia larvae of freshwater mussels.
Similar species
Can be confused with other large minnows or shiners, but distinguished by the scaleless, fleshy keel along the belly and the deeply forked tail paired with an strongly upturned mouth.
Identification tips
Look for a deeply arched back, a very small upturned mouth, shiny golden-silver scales, and a distinct fleshy keel on the belly without scales.
Interesting facts
Golden shiners are one of the most widely distributed minnows in North America and are frequently used extensively as live bait by freshwater anglers.