Hudsonius hudsonius

Notropis hudsonius
Spottail Shiner – Hudsonius hudsonius
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
LeuciscidaeHudsonius hudsonius(Clinton)1824Spottail Shiner

Hudsonius hudsonius

Unique Characters: Large eye, short and rounded snout, subterminal mouth, dark lateral stripe that ends in a detached round spot at base of caudal fin. Pigment only on upper lip. Lateral line pores are often outlined with melanophores. Speckling of melanophores below lateral line along sides of body, most pronounced near anal fin. No melanophores on anal fin rays. Dorsal fin strongly pointed. Usually 8 anal fin rays. Breast naked or with embedded scales. Weak predorsal stripe. Scales below the lateral line weakly outlined in black. No barbel. Males with tiny nuptial tubercles. Young may easily be confused with Swallowtail Shiner, Notropis procne. Breeding coloration absent.

Notropis hudsonius
Spottail Shiner – Hudsonius hudsonius

Similar Species:

Coastal Shiner
Alburnops petersoni

Swallowtail Shiner
Miniellus procne

Notropis petersoni
Coastal Shiner – Alburnops petersoni
Notropis petersoni
Coastal Shiner – Alburnops petersoni
Notropis procne
Swallowtail Shiner – Miniellus procne
Notropis procne
Swallowtail Shiner – Miniellus procne

Coastal Shiner Alburnops petersoni. Usually 7 anal fin rays. Strongly defined predorsal stripe. Pigment on both lips. Melanophores present on anal fin rays. Triangular caudal spot. Pointed snout with terminal mouth. Scales below the lateral line boldly outlined with black.

Swallowtail Shiner Miniellus procne. Usually 7 anal fin rays and an unscaled breast.

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