Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius) - Native

11 cm spottail shiner.

A large adult (4-inch) spottail shiner displays the characteristic protruding snout and faint spot at the base of the caudal fin.

Identification. Streamlined shape. Forked tail. Mouth does not reach end of snout. Dark spot (sometimes inconspicuous) at base of tail fin. Anal rays 8. Anal and dorsal fins slightly falcate (sickle-shaped). Large (typically 40-42 along lateral line), loose scales that easily come off in the hand. Very silvery with faint lateral stripe.

5 cm spottail shiner.

Juvenile shiners are difficult to identify. This 2-inch spottail shiner has a dusky lateral band and a less developed snout than the adults.

Size. Commonly 2 to 4 inches. State survey max. size 5.9 inches. Max. reported size 5.9 inches.

Distribution. Widespread throughout the eastern half of North America. In Connecticut, spottail shiners are found in all larger rivers and many large streams. They also exist in some lakes with significant tributary streams. They are often extremely abundant.

Spottail shiner distribution map.

Habits. Prefer sandy areas with slower flows in larger rivers. Typically spawn in the mouths of smaller tributary streams. Usually occur in large schools. Can be taken with a very small hook baited with a bit of worm or with a small-mesh dip net or seine. Easy to keep in home aquariums, but are relatively fragile.

Comments. This is typically the most abundant and, therefore, a very important forage fish species in larger rivers, such as the Connecticut River. Spottail shiners are sometimes sold as bait, but are not as hardy as golden shiners. 

Swimming spottail shiner.

Adult spottail shiners have large, very shiny scales that come off easily in the hand.

 

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.