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Note: Red text
is defined in the Glossary
Description
 The
Cape Fear Shiner is a small minnow, growing to a length between
45 and 65 mm. The dorsal and lateral
portions of the fish are golden and the ventral
portion is white. Scales are outlined in black. A black lateral
stripe extends the length of each side to the caudal
peduncle. Above this stripe is a light colored stripe. During
the spring spawning season, the golden body color is intensified
in males while females take on a silvery cast. Males also develop
numerous small tubercles on the upper body from the snout to the
dorsal fin during the spawning season. This species can be distinguished
from similar species by the black upper and lower lips and nearly
horizontal position of the mouth.
Distribution
(see map)
Distribution by County: Cape Fear River Basin: Chatham Co. (Rocky
River, including Bear Creek; Deep River, and Haw River); Lee Co.
(Deep River), Moore Co. (Deep River, including Falls Creek), Randolph
Co. (Deep River , including Fork Creek). NOTE: All headwater
areas that flow into these occupied habitats should receive special
management.
Habitat Preferences
The
Cape Fear Shiner is most often found in shallow, rocky shoals within
main river channels. In winter months, they may migrate into smaller
tributary streams. The most obvious features of their preferred
habitat are large islands and bars of water willow, Justicia americana.
This species prefers clean substrates composed of gravel, cobble,
and boulders.
Dams and their
associated reservoirs are major threats to this species. The reservoirs
eliminate preferred habitats of the Cape Fear Shiner, and they fragment
populations, thus increasing the chances for local extirpations.
Life History
Spawning occurs around May 15 when water temperatures reach 19 degrees
(C). Based upon the presence of some smaller Cape Fear Shiners during
the early fall, there may be a secondary spawning during the late
summer. This species appears to survive about 2-3 years in the wild.
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