Fieryblack shiner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fieryblack shiner |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyprinella
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| Species: |
pyrrhomelas
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| Synonyms | |
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Notropis pyrrhomelas(Cope, 1870) |
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The fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) is a small, colorful fish. It belongs to the minnow family, called Cyprinidae. You can only find this fish in the United States. It lives in rivers and streams in North Carolina and South Carolina. Specifically, it calls the Santee and Pee Dee river systems home.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The fieryblack shiner is a small fish. It usually grows to be about 4.7 to 11 centimeters long. It has special diamond-shaped scales. These scales are a unique feature of the Cyprinella group of fish.
This fish has some cool markings. It has a red snout, which is its nose area. A thin black stripe runs along its back. Its tail fin, also called the caudal fin, has a black edge. There is also a black area on the sides of its head, right behind its gill cover.
Breeding Colors and Behavior
During the breeding season, male fieryblack shiners become very colorful! Their snouts turn a bright red. Their backs change to a blue color. The tail fin gets a bright red and white band. All their other fins turn white.
Males use their big, colorful fins to attract females. They put on special displays during this time. Sometimes, two males will swim in circles. They will flare out their fins to show who is in charge of an area.
Where Do They Live?
Fieryblack shiners are found in North Carolina and South Carolina. They live in the Piedmont Region up to the mountains. This is above the Fall Line. They need cool, clear water to survive. You can find them in creeks and small to medium-sized rivers.
Before 1990, these fish were not found in the Savannah River area. But now, they have been seen in the Chattooga River system. Scientists think they were likely introduced there by accident. This might have happened when people released bait fish from their buckets.
How Are They Doing?
The fieryblack shiner is not currently listed as a species of special concern. This is true for both federal lists and state lists in North and South Carolina. They are considered safe in North Carolina for now.
However, there are some worries about their future. They only live in a few specific places. Also, there isn't a lot of information about how many of them there are.
Challenges They Face
Fieryblack shiners face many of the same problems as other fish. These include:
- Pollution: Harmful substances can get into their water.
- Deforestation: Cutting down trees near rivers can harm their habitat.
- Human Development: More buildings and roads can change their environment.
- Siltation: This is when dirt and mud wash into rivers. It can make the water cloudy and cover their homes.
A big road project, I-85, is being built. It runs between Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina. This project could also pose risks to the fieryblack shiner and other fish species.
