Pteronotropis hypselopterus (Günther, 1868)
Sailfin shiner
Pteronotropis hypselopterus
photo by Howell, W.M./Jenkins, R.L.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Pogonichthyinae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7
Distribution:  North America: Below Fall Line in Gulf drainages from St. Andrews Bay in Florida to Mobile Bay in Alabama, USA; absent in Choctawhatchee River system above mouth of Pea River, Alabama.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal soft rays: 9-14; Vertebrae: 36-38. Body, moderately deep; with a broad, dark, steel-blue lateral band in which the posterior end is usually intensified into a round, black, basicaudal spot. Dorsal fin in nuptial male moderately elevated, with a pronounced black crescent across the middle of the fin. Caudal and anal fins olive-yellow to olive-orange. Body circumference with 23-34 scales (Ref. 40813).
Biology:  Inhabits sand-bottomed and clay-bottomed pools and runs of headwaters, creeks and small rivers, often among debris and vegetation (Ref. 86798).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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