blackchin shiner

blackchin shiner (Notropis heterodon) [state threatened] Photo © Uland Thomas

The blackchin shiner is about two to two and three-fourths inches in length. It is yellow-brown on the back and upper sides and silver below. There is a black band from the tail fin to the tip of the snout on each side. The tip of the lower jaw has dark pigment. The anal fin has eight rays. Teeth are present in the throat. This minnow has large eyes. The front edge of the dorsal fin is slightly in front of the front edge of the pelvic fins.

The blackchin shiner may be found in Lake County in Illinois. It lives in glacial lakes that have many aquatic plants and in the streams that enter and leave these lakes. It swims in schools. Spawning occurs from June through August. This fish eats tiny crustaceans and immature aquatic insects. It has a life span of two years.

Kingdom: Animalia​
Phylum: Chordata​
Class: Actinopterygii​
Order: Cypriniformes​
Family: Leuciscidae

The blackchin shiner is threatened in Illinois mainly due to habitat degradation. It has been eliminated from several lakes due to human disturbance. Protection of glacial lakes from development, pollution and introduced fish species are all necessary to ensure its continued survival in the state.