Orangetail shiner (Pteronotropis merlini)

Scientific name: Pteronotropis merlini Suttkus & Mettee, 2001

The Orangetail shiner (Pteronotropis merlini) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 12–23°C (54–73°F). Native range: North America, USA.

Orangetail shiner care at a glance

Temperature
12–23°C (54–73°F)

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 36 - 38. Body very deep. Caudal fin and most of the anal fin on nuptial males are bright orange. Nuptial males have a chevron or lunate-shaped blotch of dark pigment slightly separated from the posterior end of the dark lateral band. Anterior rays of dorsal fin fall short of the tips of the posterior rays in the depressed fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pteronotropis merlini
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
5.4
Environment
Freshwater; pelagic
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
North America: USA.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated