Inhabits runs and flowing to standing pools of headwaters, creeks, and small to medium rivers; lakes and ponds. Usually over mud or sand, often near vegetation. Occurs in schools. Fry feed on diatoms, copepods, ostracods, and other small planktonic and demersal crustaceans. Diet changes to terrestrial and aquatic insects, algae, mollusks, fish eggs (including their own), and small fishes like other redside shiners, other minnows, and trout. Preyed upon by mergansers, loons, and mink.