freshwater
Golden Shiner
Notemigonus crysoleucas
The Golden Shiner has a deep, laterally compressed body with a small upturned mouth. Its most notable feature is the brassy or golden coloration on its sides in older adults, while juveniles are more silvery.…
- Habitat
- Inhabits quiet waters such as lakes, ponds, and slow-mov…
- Size & weight
- Typically ranges from 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm) in…
- Diet
- An omnivorous filter feeder that consumes zooplankton, p…
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Physical characteristics
The Golden Shiner has a deep, laterally compressed body with a small upturned mouth. Its most notable feature is the brassy or golden coloration on its sides in older adults, while juveniles are more silvery. It possesses a sharply decurved lateral line and a scaleless keel on the belly between the pelvic fins and the anus.
Habitat & distribution
Inhabits quiet waters such as lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. It prefers clear water with abundant submerged vegetation, which provides cover from predators.
Behavior
A social species that forms large schools. They are primarily diurnal and spend much of their time moving through aquatic vegetation for protection and feeding.
Diet
An omnivorous filter feeder that consumes zooplankton, phytoplankton, small insects, and filamentous algae.
Reproduction
Broadcast spawners that lay adhesive eggs on aquatic vegetation or occasionally over the nests of other species like sunfish. Spawning usually occurs in late spring to early summer.
Ecological role
Serves as a vital link in the food web, acting as a primary consumer of plankton and as a major forage species for larger predatory fish like Bass and Pike.
Similar species
Common Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) is often confused with the Golden Shiner; however, the Rudd has a scaled keel whereas the Golden Shiner's keel is scaleless. It may also be confused with the European Roach.
Identification tips
Look for the deeply curved lateral line and the fleshy, scale-free ridge (keel) on the belly behind the pelvic fins.
Interesting facts
Golden Shiners are capable of rapid growth and are highly sensitive to vibrations in the water, which helps them detect approaching predators.