pdf version - South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks

Emerald Shiner
Notropis atherinoides
Quick key characteristics: The emerald shiner is found in cool-water
habitats. It has large, silvery, deciduous scales. Fins are soft with short bases,
its mouth is forward-facing, and its snout is pointed. Its body is somewhat
taller than wide, but less so compared to most minnows.
Similar species in South Dakota: other minnows, especially carmine and
silverband shiners
Identifi cation: The combination of (1) a long, slender body, (2) dorsal
fi n set well behind pelvic fi ns, (3) large, terminal mouth, and (4) large eye
differentiates the emerald shiner from most other minnows in South Dakota.
The carmine shiner is similar, but has a longer snout, rosy coloration, more
rounded dorsal fi n, and is restricted to streams of the Minnesota River
drainage in far eastern South Dakota. The silverband shiner is similar, but
has a slightly shorter anal fi n, is only known from the mainstem Missouri
River and larger tributaries, and may no longer be present in the state.
Range: The emerald shiner is native to most of central North America
between the Appalachian and Rocky mountains, including rivers that fl ow
into the Hudson Bay and Arctic Ocean. It is widespread in larger streams,
rivers, impoundments, and lakes in South Dakota.
Items of interest:
• Common prey for sport fi sh because
it often forms large schools and
frequents open water
• Feeds on plankton, insects,
crustaceans, and algae
• May exceed 6 in
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