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

Redfin Shiner Lythrurus umbratilis

Family
Leuciscidae (Minnows)
Tolerance
Intermediate
Trophic Class
Insectivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
True
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Not Listed
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 11 bioassessment sites, 1 rapid fish bioassessment site, 0 fisheries assessment sites, and 4 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 16 distinct sites, or 1.1% of the 1512 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 96th most commonly collected species.

The Redfin Shiner was collected in 14 bioassessment sampling sessions and 0 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 1 rapid bioassessment session and 4 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 25 individual Redfin Shiner specimens, ranking it the #112 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

Terete and strongly compressed laterally. The back is bluish-silvery with more silver on the sides, and white beneath. Spawning males become bright steel-blue on the back, fins redden, and tubercles develop on the head. There is a prominent black spot at the frontal base of the dorsal fin which extends into the first few rays. A terminal mouth is slightly oblique and no barbel is present. Hooked pharyngeal teeth on slender arches are arranged in a formula of 2, 4-4, 2. The complete lateral line may have 40 to 48 scales, and it is strongly de-curved. Dorsal and pelvic fins have 8 rays, while the pectoral fins has 12 or 13 rays, and the anal fin has 11 rays.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found