The striped shiner is a rather large, deep-bodied minnow with large, silvery scales on the sides. The back is olive green with a broad dark stripe along the midline. The chin is darkened by a dusky pigment.
Striped shiners often hybridize with bleeding, duskystripe, and rosyface shiners since all share the spawning nests of the hornyhead chub; the offspring will share characteristics of both parents, making them more challenging to identify. The striped shiner is closely related to the common shiner, which is similar in appearance and ecology but has a more northern distribution.
Total length: 3 to 5 inches; maximum about 7 inches.
Occurs mostly south of the Missouri River.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs in clear, permanent-flowing streams with clean gravelly or rocky bottoms. It prefers relatively warm and quiet water, and it is less tolerant of turbidity than its close relative the common shiner.
Food
Insects, fish, crustaceans, plant material, algae, and bottom ooze.
Status
Nongame fish.
