The red shiner is found throughout the Missouri, Des Moines, and Skunk river drainages and the lower reaches of the Iowa and Cedar river systems. They have been reported infrequently in the north-central and northeastern streams of Iowa. Population status has been reported as common or abundant in streams and occasional or common in the natural and man-made lakes. The red shiner and the spotfin shiner are complementary species; the red shiner occupying the southwestern portion of the state and the spotfin shiner inhabiting the northeastern portion.

The red shiner is an extremely slab-sided minnow with a terminal, oblique mouth, which has no barbel. Hooked pharyngeal teeth on sturdy arches are arranged in a 4-4 pattern, but variation of 0, 4-4, l and l, 4-4, 1 have been noted. The dorsal fin contains 8 rays and is uniformly pigmented, while the anal fin contains 9 rays, the pectoral fins 14, and the pelvic fins 8 rays. A complete and de-curved lateral line has 34 to 35 scales. Color of the back is olive green with silvery sides and white belly. Edges of the scales on the back and upper sides are outlined with pigment giving a diamond-shaped appearance. Color of the spawning male is remarkable and distinctive. The body is pinkish to red and steely-blue color on the back, with the top of the head bright red. A bluish crescent appears behind the opercle and in front of the pectoral fins, the dorsal fin is dark, and the other fins are red or orange. Tubercles develop on the snout and head.

The red shiner is a pioneer species, moving into new, disturbed or marginal habitat where other fish are rare. Spawning occurs from May to August, and because of their adaptive spawning habits they are able to establish in polluted, turbid, or unstable waters. Food items include aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Adults reach 3 inches in length. They are a very popular bait minnow as well as aquarium fish.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.