Common Shiner

Luxilus cornutus is a strikingly deep-bodied shiner native to clear streams and rivers of the northeastern and central United States and eastern Canada. Its large, diamond-shaped scales reflect light with unusual intensity, and in non-breeding colouration it shows an attractive silvery-white body with faint scale-edge pigmentation. Breeding males are genuinely spectacular: the entire body flushes rose-pink to deep red, the scales become noticeably enlarged and scale-edge pigmentation intensifies, and nuptial tubercles develop on the head.

In the aquarium, Common Shiners are active and fairly hardy, tolerating a range of cool-water conditions while preferring clean, clear water with moderate current. They do best in groups of six or more, forming loosely organised schools that explore the mid-water throughout the day.

They accept a wide range of foods and adapt well to pellets and flake after initial acclimation. Their breeding behaviour — which includes spawning over the nests of Creek Chubs and other pit-building minnows — is fascinating to observe and easy to replicate by housing them with a pebble-pit-building species.

Water: 12–24 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, moderate hardness; clear water with moderate current. Tank: 150 L minimum; gravel and pebble substrate; open swimming area. Feeding: Live/frozen Daphnia, bloodworms, insects; accepts flake and quality pellets. Breeding: Spawns communally over pit nests of Creek Chubs; eggs scattered and not guarded. Compatibility: Peaceful; excellent community fish with other cool-water native species.