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The Tricolor Shiner

Tricolor Shiner feeds on insects in rocky and sandy streams. Its main recorded range lies in the Alabama River drainage.

Range and Identity

Cyprinella trichroistia is recorded mainly in the Coosa and Cahaba systems across southeastern Tennessee, northwestern Georgia and Alabama. Localized Black Warrior occurrence is also noted. Those specific records should not be broadened into uniform occupation of every Alabama drainage.

Habitat and Behavior

Adults inhabit runs and pools in creeks and small to medium rivers, with rock and sand among the characteristic bottoms. Both channel positions are included. The actual current and substrate are more useful than a general river label when describing a sighting.

Food and Life History

The upper reference is ten centimeters total length. Foods include terrestrial insects and aquatic immatures, often dominated by mayfly nymphs. The checked summary does not establish an independently supported maximum mass or definite migration pattern.

Field Note

Preserve the stream and clear body photographs when identifying a shiner. Color can be useful, but the common name should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every individual always displays the same three colors.

All Lakes With Tricolor Shiner

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Tricolor Shiner records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.

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