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Longnose shiner (Notropis longirostris) — Cyprinidae

Longnose shiner

Notropis longirostris
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Longnose shiner (Notropis longirostris) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern North America; sandy creeks and rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The longnose shiner is a small cyprinid (Leuciscidae) from the southeastern United States. The species has a slender, silvery body with a relatively long, pointed snout, to which the name refers. It inhabits sandy, sometimes muddy, shallow runs and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers. On and near the sand bottom it feeds on small invertebrates, diatoms and detritus. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longnose shiner?

The Longnose shiner has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long, pointed snout; schooling shiner of sandy streams.

Where does the Longnose shiner live?

The Longnose shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern North America; sandy creeks and rivers.

How big does the Longnose shiner get?

The Longnose shiner grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Longnose shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Longnose shiner is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Longnose shiner edible?

The Longnose shiner is not usually eaten.

More photos

Longnose shiner (Notropis longirostris) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) riley_j, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longnose shiner (Notropis longirostris) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Noah D, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longnose shiner (Notropis longirostris) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Derek Wheaton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longnose shiner (Notropis longirostris) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Robert Lamb, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Longnose shiner verified
Scientific name
Notropis longirostris
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Longnose shiner verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern North America; sandy creeks and rivers.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, diatoms and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Long, pointed snout; schooling shiner of sandy streams. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Notropis

More from the family Cyprinidae

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