Notropis mekistocholas

Notropis mekistocholas
Cape Fear Shiner – Notropis mekistocholas – Female
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
LeuciscidaeNotropis mekistocholasSnelson1971Cape Fear Shiner

Notropis mekistocholas

Unique Characters: Long, coiled black gut with black peritoneum. Black stripe on side but not on snout. Black pigment on both lips. Black wedge on anal fin base, usually separated from dark stripe along body. Pointed snout. No red pigment in upper iris. Mostly scaled anterior breast area. Usually 8 anal fin rays. Complete lateral line. Males bright brassy yellow-gold. Restricted to the Cape Fear basin.

Notropis mekistocholas
Cape Fear Shiner – Notropis mekistocholas

Similar Species:

Whitemouth Shiner
Notropis alborus

Swallowtail Shiner
Notropis procne

Notropis alborus
Whitemouth Shiner – Notropis alborus
Notropis procne
Swallowtail Shiner – Notropis procne
Notropis procne
Swallowtail Shiner – Notropis procne

Whitemouth Shiner Notropis alborus. Upper iris of eye usually has red pigment. Body divided by a jagged-edged lateral stripe, which terminates as a wedge on caudal peduncle. The black stripe continues around the snout but not on the lips. Mouth horizontal. Rounded snout. Usually 7 anal fin rays. Complete lateral line.

Swallowtail Shiner Notropis procne. Black stripe on side but not on snout. Caudal spot disconnected from lateral stripe. Pointed snout and horizontal mouth. Dash (smudge) of black pigment at base of dorsal fin. Anal fin base heavily pigmented. Usually 7 anal fin rays. Complete lateral line.

Gallery