Spotfin Shiner

Cyprinella spiloptera is a medium-sized shiner found throughout the eastern and central United States in clear, gravel-bottomed streams and rivers. Its most distinctive feature is the bold, dark blotch concentrated in the posterior portion of the dorsal fin — a mark visible at considerable distance in a swimming school. The body is elongated and silvery with a faint blue-silver lateral sheen.

In the aquarium, Spotfin Shiners are active, mid-water schoolers that thrive in groups and appreciate clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate current. Like other Cyprinella, they are elegant swimmers and display interesting courtship behaviour during spawning, with males vigorously defending small crevice territories where eggs are deposited.

They accept a wide range of foods and are adaptable to prepared diets, making them one of the more aquarium-ready native shiners. A school of Spotfin Shiners in a river biotope aquarium creates an active, shimmering mid-water display complemented by their breeding behaviour.

Water: 15–25 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, moderate hardness; clean water with moderate current. Tank: 100 L minimum for a school; gravel substrate, scattered flat rocks for spawning crevices. Feeding: Live/frozen small invertebrates; accepts flake and small pellet foods readily. Breeding: Deposits eggs in crevices or among rocks; males defend spawning sites. Compatibility: Peaceful schooling fish; compatible with other medium-sized stream natives.