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Popeye Shiner
Notropis ariommus
At-a-Glance
• Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows and Carps)
• Other Names: None
• Ohio Status: Endangered
• Adult Size: Typically 2-3 inches, can reach 3.5 inches.
• Typical Foods: Various aquatic invertebrates, and terrestrial insects that fall in the water or fly just above the surface. |
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Description
Popeye shiners are a small silvery minnow with a dusky tip to the lower jaw and a faint dusky stripe along the sides that is most visible near the tail. They have an extremely large eye and terminal mouth (ending at tip of snout). All the fins are transparent with no distinct markings and they have 9 anal fin rays. Popeye shiners can also be distinguished by a dramatic dip in the lateral line through the center part of the body. The very similar bigeye shiner has only 8 anal rays, a more distinct stripe along the side, and a much less drastic dip in the later line.
Habitat and Habits
Popeye shiners are found in extremely clear waters in moderate sized streams. These streams usually have slow to moderate flow and many long slow pools in which the popeye shiners reside. This species was thought to have disappeared from Ohio prior to 1900 until a population was discovered in Scioto Brush Creek in Southern Ohio in the mid 1980's.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Popeye shiners are assumed to reproduce in spring or summer but little is known about their reproductive activities or requirements.
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