Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Bridle Shiner (Notropis bifrenatus) - Native

46 mm bridle shiner.

A 2-inch bridle shiner with the characteristic dark lateral band that passes through the eye.

Identification. Very small fish. Thin, streamlined shape. Large forked tail. Large eye. Dark lateral band from snout through the eye to base of tail. Anal rays 7. Large, loose scales (fewer than 40 midline scales) with dark outlines. Incomplete lateral line.

Two 4 cm bridle shiners.

In the hand, the dark lateral bands on these 1.5-inch bridle shiners are not as apparent, but the large eyes, large loose scales and short snout are good indicators.

Size. Commonly 1 to 2 inches. State survey max. size 2.4 inches. Max. reported size 2.5 inches.

Distribution. Areas of the Eastern United States from the St. Lawrence River to North Carolina. They have a scattered range throughout Connecticut lakes and streams; however, their populations appear to be declining statewide (as indicated by the many open circles and triangles on the map).

Bridle shiner distribution map.

Habits. Prefer lakes and ponds or slower, vegetated areas of small to medium streams with muddy bottoms. Easy to keep in home aquariums, but are small and fragile and can’t be kept with larger species.

Comments. Bridle shiner populations have apparently been declining throughout much of their range. Due to their small size, they remain vulnerable to predation throughout their lives, and it has been suggested that introduction of non-native fish predators, such as largemouth bass, has contributed to their decline. Bridle shiners are easily overlooked or mistaken for juveniles of other fish species.

 

Text and images adapted from Jacobs, R. P., O'Donnell, E. B., and Connecticut DEEP. (2009). A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Hartford, CT. Available for purchase at the DEEP Store. The fish distribution maps were created in 2009. For updated fish distributions please use the CT DEEP Fish Community Data Interactive Map.