Altamaha shiner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Altamaha shiner |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyprinella
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| Species: |
xaenura
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| Synonyms | |
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The Altamaha shiner (Cyprinella xaenura) is a type of fish. It belongs to the minnow family, called Cyprinidae. This fish lives only in the Piedmont area of Georgia, in the United States. You can find it in the upper parts of the Altamaha River system. This is mostly in north-central Georgia, above the Fall Line.
Contents
What Does the Altamaha Shiner Look Like?
The Altamaha shiner is a small fish. It is a type of minnow. The longest one ever found was about 11 centimeters (4.5 inches) long.
Body Features
This fish has a pointy snout. Its mouth is at the very front or slightly below the front. The top part of its body is a dark olive color. It has a dark stripe along its back. A silver-black stripe runs along the back half of its body. This stripe often ends in a clear spot near its tail fin.
Special Colors for Males
When male Altamaha shiners are ready to breed, they look different. One side of their body turns blue. Their fins become white. Their tail, back, and bottom fins can be yellow or orange.
Scales and Fins
The Altamaha shiner usually has 26 scales on its body. Sixteen of these scales are around its tail area. This fish also has 10 to 11 rays in its anal fin. It has between 38 and 40 scales along its side.
Where Does the Altamaha Shiner Live?
The Altamaha shiner lives only in the upper parts of the Oconee River and the Ocmulgee River. Both of these rivers are in Georgia, USA. You won't find this fish anywhere else in the world.
Preferred Home
This minnow likes to live in small pools. These pools often have sand and rocks at the bottom. It is usually found in small rivers, creeks, and streams.
What Do Altamaha Shiners Eat?
Scientists do not know much about the daily life of the Altamaha shiner. It is thought that they eat small insects that live in the water. They might also eat land insects that fall into the stream.
How Do Altamaha Shiners Lay Eggs?
The Altamaha shiner lays its eggs in hidden spots. They place their eggs in small cracks or tiny spaces within rocks.
What Dangers Does the Altamaha Shiner Face?
The Altamaha shiner is threatened by poor water quality. When streams become dirty, it harms these fish.
How Water Gets Dirty
- Sedimentation: This happens when too much dirt and sand wash into the rivers. This can come from farming, logging, or construction sites.
- Stormwater Runoff: As cities grow, more water flows off paved areas during storms. This water can carry pollution and dirt into rivers.
Why Sedimentation Is Bad
When too much dirt builds up, it can cover the rocks. This can disturb or even destroy the eggs that the Altamaha shiner lays in rock cracks.
