The blackchin shiner (Miniellus heterodon) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. Described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1865, it is not a well-known species. It is a close relative of the blacknose shiner. Chiefly occurring now in the Great Lakes and occasionally in upper Mississippi River drainages, the blackchin once ranged commonly as far south as Illinois and Ohio. This fish resides over sandy bottoms in cool waters that provide a lot of cover for the small minnow. Omnivorous, it eats worms and small arthropods as well as plant material.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Blackchin Shiner being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Notropis heterolepis
- Miniellus procne
- Notropis bifrenatus
- Alburnops petersoni
- Alburnops texanus
- Miniellus nubilus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Leuciscidae
- Genus
- Miniellus
- Species
- Miniellus heterodon
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