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Notropis volucellus

(mimic shiner)

Overview

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Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Czech:

Jelecek Prosv, Jeleček prosvítavý

Common Names in English:

mimic shiner

Common Names in French:

méné pâle, méné pâle

Common Names in Mandarin Chinese:

伪美洲鱥, 偽美洲鱥

Description

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Physical Description

Species Notropis volucellus

Body: Mouth and snout: Terminal to slightly subterminal and oblique , without any teeth. No barbels . Snout rounded. Body patterning, color, and scales : Solid color, tan or light olive back; silver flanks, and white belly. Dorsal scales strongly outlined in dark pigment. Small pigment blotches above and below each lateral-line scale pore , giving amouse tracks appearance on flank. Little pigment on fins . 33-38 cycloid lateral line scales , rounded in shape , and vertically elongated (>3 times as tall as wide). Body shape and size: Body fusiform , oval in cross section . Typically 35-65 mm (1.5-2.5 in) TL ; maximum about 75 mm (3 in).

Fins: Tail, dorsal and other fins: Forked tail. Single dorsal fin with 8 rays and no spines. Pelvic fins abdominal . No adipose fin . Anal fin with 8 rays, rarely 7, and no spines.

Distinguishing characteristics: The mimic shiner can be distinguished by its round lateral-line scales, lack of pigment blotch on dorsal fin , its dorsal scales strongly outlined in dark pigment, its small dark blotches above and below each lateral-line pore, its straight lateral line, its lack of barbels, its terminal to slightly subterminal mouth, and its pre-dorsal scales, which are similar in size and spacing to the flank scales. See also similar species information. Note that as of January 2003, not all mimic and channel shiner specimens can be distinguished with 100% certainty. The following characteristics will separate the two species most of the time, but some specimens will remain unidentifiable. Also, hybrids and intergrades probably occur. Channel shiner predorsal stripe usually absent or incomplete , faint if complete ; posterior dorso-lateral scales either continuously pigmented or with pigment concentrated posteriorly; postdorsal stripe usually absent or incomplete, faint if present; specimens over 45 mm standard length (SL ) typically with body depth contained less than 4.5 times in SL, body width contained less than 1.7 times in depth, dorsal fin height less than 2.5 times in pre-dorsal length , and anterior lateral line scales 2-3 times as tall as wide. Mimic shiner Predorsal stripe present, often faint but rarely incomplete; posterior dorso-lateral scales usually with pigment concentrated posteriorly; postdorsal stripe usually present and complete, often well-pigmented; specimens over 45 mm SL typically with body depth contained more than 4.5 times in SL, body width contained more than 1.7 times in depth, dorsal fin height more than 2.5 times in pre-dorsal length, and anterior lateral line scales more than 3 times as tall as wide.

Breeding adults : Male with fine tubercles on head and pectoral fins.

Juveniles : Similar to adults.

Habitat

Inhabits sandy pools of headwaters , creeks and small to large rivers . Also occurs in quiet areas of lakes .

Biome: Marine .

Taxonomy

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Last Revised: 7/16/2012