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bigeye shiner
bigeye shiner (Notropis boops) [state endangered]
Photo © Uland Thomas
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
The eyes of this species are large, being longer in diameter than the length of the snout. The front edge of the dorsal fin is about equally distant between the tip of the snout and the base of the caudal fin. There is a dark stripe from the caudal fin base to the snout with a clear stripe above it. The mouth is large with the upper jaw extending back past the front edge of the eye. Teeth are present in the throat. The back is green-yellow, and the scales on the back have dark edges. The sides are silver, and the belly is silver-white. The fins do not have markings. Breeding males have tublercles on the head and body. Adults reach about two to three inches in length.
BEHAVIORS
The bigeye shiner lives in streams with permanent pools, fairly clear water and plants along the edge. This species swims in schools. The diet is composed of insects. Spawning occurs from spring through mid-summer.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Leuciscidae
Illinois Status: state endangered, native
