Lythrurus ardens

Lythrurus ardens
Rosefin Shiner – Lythrurus ardens – Cape Fear
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
LeuciscidaeLythrurus ardens(Cope)1868Rosefin Shiner

Lythrurus ardens

Unique Characters: Very small scales on nape; dorsal fin origin behind pelvic fin origin. Dark blotch at dorsal fin origin. Fairly deep, compressed body. Breeding male has faint red fins and top of head, faint blue-gray bars on back. Females with no or weakly developed tubercles on dorsum of head. Native to the Roanoke basin, but introduced into the Cape Fear and Yadkin basins.

Similar Species:

Pinewoods Shiner
Lythrurus matutinus

Pinewoods Shiner Lythrurus matutinus. More slender body. Breeding male has bright red head, no red on paired fins, and a silvery body. Found only in Tar and Neuse basins; not sympatric with Rosefin Shiner.

Lythrurus matutinus
Pinewoods Shiner – Lythrurus matutinus

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