Species Factsheet
| | home | contact us | privacy policy | | |
| |
Threatened
and Endangered Species Factsheet |
 Photo: Konrad Schmidt, University of Minesota |
|
|
Description: The Topeka shiner is a small, stout minnow, not exceeding three inches in total length. The head is short with a small, moderately oblique (slanted or sloping) mouth. The eye diameter is equal to or slightly longer than the snout. It is an overall silvery color, with a well defined dark stripe along its side and a dark wedge-shaped spot at the base of the tail fin. Males develop additional reddish coloration in all other fins during the breeding season. The maximum known longevity for the Topeka shiner is three years; however, only a very small percentage of each year’s hatch attains the third summer. Habitat: The Topeka shiner occurs primarily in small prairie (or former prairie) streams in pools containing clear, clean water. Most Topeka shiner streams are perennial (flow year-round), but some are small enough to stop flowing during dry summer months. In these circumstances, water levels must be maintained by groundwater seepage for the fish to survive. Topeka shiner streams generally have clean gravel, rock or sand bottoms. Feeding habits: Data regarding the food habits of Topeka shiners is limited. There are reports, however, that the shiner is a daytime feeder on insects including midges, true flies, and mayflies which apparently make up the bulk of the diet. Current Iowa range: Calhoun, Carroll, Dallas, Greene, Sac (tributaries to North Raccoon River), Lyon, Osceola (Rock and Little Rock rivers); and Wright (Boone River drainage) counties. Do something WILD!: Get a group of friends together and visit with a local natural resources or county conservation officer to learn more about Iowa’s fish and wildlife.
 | |
|
|
