The flagfin shiner (''Pteronotropis signipinnis'') is a species of

ray-finned Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fishes, is a class of bony fish. They comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species. The ray-finned fishes are so called because their fins are webs of skin supported by bony or hor ...

fish in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Cyprinidae Cyprinidae is a family of freshwater fish commonly called the carp or minnow family. It includes the carps, the true minnows, and relatives like the barbs and barbels. Cyprinidae is the largest and most diverse fish family and the largest verte ...

(minnows), in the order

Cypriniformes Cypriniformes is an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches, and relatives. Cypriniformes is an Order within the Superorder Ostariophysi consisting of "Carp-like" Ostariophysins. This order contains 11-12 families, ...

(carp).

Distribution

This freshwater species is

benthopelagic The demersal zone is the part of the sea or ocean (or deep lake) consisting of the part of the water column near to (and significantly affected by) the seabed and the benthos. The demersal zone is just above the benthic zone and forms a layer of ...

and usually occurs over sand near vegetation, in creeks, small rivers, and flowing pools and runs of headwaters. They are found in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

in the

Apalachicola river The Apalachicola River is a river, approximately 160 mi (180 km) long in the state of Florida. The river's large watershed, known as the ACF River Basin, drains an area of approximately into the Gulf of Mexico. The distance to its fa ...

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

Pearl River The Pearl River, also known by its Chinese name Zhujiang or Zhu Jiang in Mandarin pinyin or Chu Kiang and formerly often known as the , is an extensive river system in southern China. The name "Pearl River" is also often used as a catch-a ...

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

, and parts of

Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...

. They are also found in

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...

but occur rarely.

Description

It is small and colourful, growing to between 40 and 55 mm. The body tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. Much of the sides are covered by a lateral band dark in colour. The caudal, dorsal and anal fins are yellow or red-orange with black marginal rays. Present on the caudal fin base are two bright sulfur-yellow spots, with the region between the spots being substantially darker. The flagfin shiner exists syntopically with the

sailfin shiner The sailfin shiner (''Pteronotropis hypselopterus'') is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to the southeastern United States. Description The sailfin shiner has a deep and compressed body, with a narrow base for the caudal fin. Its lateral line ...

, ''P. hypselopterus'', and the two can be difficult to differentiate. It can be distinguished by its red fins, yellow tail spots, and smaller tubercles.

Etymology

"Pteronotropis" means "winged keeled back", which refers to the breeding males' enlarged dorsal fin. "Signipinnis" means "banner fin", referring to the striking color of the median fins.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5478328 Pteronotropis Cyprinid fish of North America Fish of the United States Fish described in 1952