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Cyprinella spiloptera

 * Spotfin Shiner, image

Introduction
The spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera), known also as the silver-finned minnow or the satin-finned minnow, is a member of the Class Osteichthyes (osteo = bone) and Subclass Actinopterygii (ray-finned). C. spiloptera inhabit parts of Canada and the eastern US.

Etymology
Cyprinella is derived from the latin words spilos, or spot and pteron, meaning wing or fish.

Physical Description
The spotfin shiner has a black blotch of pigment on the membrane between its last three rays of the dorsal fin. This spot may be obscure or faint in small spotfin shiners. They are deep-bodied and have a black vertical bar posterior to their operculum. Their mouths open in the terminal position, and they have diamond-shaped ganoid scales and each scale is outlined with black pigment. Spotfin shiners also have 37-39 lateral line scales. Spotfin shiners have eight anal fin rays unlike its close relative, the satinfin. Breeding males become heavily pigmented and steel bluish in color during late spring and early summer. They have ventral fins that also become dull yellow to bright yellow. The head of spotfin shiners are covered with small tubercles, and they feel rough, almost like sandpaper. []

Life History
Cyprinela spiloptera inhabit all but one of the Great Lakes (Superior), and are found from the St. Lawrence drainage, Quebec to the Potomac river drainage, Virginia. They also inhabit areas from Ontario and New York to North Dakota, as well as south to Alabama and eastern regions of Oklahoma. C. spiloptera are also located in isolated areas of the Ozark mountains. Currently, they are listed as having low to moderate vulnerability.

Habitat and Diet
C. spiloptera are freshwater, benthopolagic fishes that prefer temperate climates. They inhabit sand and gravel runs and pools of creeks, as well as small to medium rivers with clear, permanent flow. They usually do not inhabit larger, more turbid rivers or creeks. They are frequently found near raceways or riffles over gravel with moderate to fast currents. Adult C. spiloptera prey on surface insects and immature aquatic organisms.

Reproduction/Life Cycle
The spawning season of C. spiloptera lasts from mid-June until mid-August. Adult females deposit their eggs inside small crevices of rocks and logs with loose bark as well as in submerged logs or roots. Their eggs, which typically hatch in about five days, are defended by male C. spiloptera. The maximum reported age of C. spiloptera is five years, but most usually only live to be around two years of age.