Iowa DNR
BioNet
River & Stream Biological Monitoring
Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys
Physical Habitat Assessments

Weed Shiner Alburnops texanus

Family
Leuciscidae (Minnows)
Tolerance
Sensitive
Trophic Class
Omnivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
False
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Endangered
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 8 bioassessment sites, 0 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 0 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 8 distinct sites, or 0.5% of the 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 106th most commonly collected species.

The Weed Shiner was collected in 8 bioassessment sampling sessions and 0 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 0 rapid bioassessment sessions and 0 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 12 individual Weed Shiner specimens, ranking it the #120 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

Has a terete body that is slightly compressed. The body is olive-green to straw on the back with silvery sides and white beneath. A dark lateral band is sharply outlined above with a light streak, but dim below. It starts on the chin and snout, continues along the body to the caudal fin, where a distinct dark spot can be seen within the rays. A terminal mouth is slightly oblique and no barbel is present. Pigmentation on the inside of the mouth is absent, except for a few melanophores on the oral valve. Hooked pharyngeal teeth are arranged in a formula of 2, 4-4, 2, but there may be variations. The breast is naked below the pectoral fins. The slightly de-curved lateral line has 34 to 37 scales, and may be interrupted with fewer than 10 unpored scales. Dorsal and pelvic fins have 8 rays, while the pectoral fin has 12 to 14 rays, and the anal fin has 7 rays.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found