Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Spottail Shiner

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Becker (1983); Page and Burr (1991); Jenkins and Burkhead (1994); Pflieger (1997); Gilbert (1998). Two distinct morphological forms are known (Gilbert 1998).

Size: 15 cm.

Native Range: Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainages from the Merrimack River to the Altamaha River, Georgia; Hudson Bay, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River basins from Ontario to Mackenzie River drainage (Arctic basin), Northwest Territories and Alberta, and south to northern Ohio, southern Illinois, and northeastern Montana (Page and Burr 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Commonly stocked as a forage fish. According to Cooper (1983), the recent successful introduction of this species (and white bass Morone chrysops) into the Allegheny Reservoir in Warren County, Pennsylvania, possibly was derived from attempted introductions of the emerald shiner Notropis atherinoides into this reservoir from Lake Erie stocks. Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) summarized the literature dealing with its spread in the New River drainage of Virginia and West Virginia. They speculated that it was introduced to the New drainage of Virginia, probably in Claytor Lake, either as bait, purposely for forage, or inadvertently along with sportfish stockings. After its discovery in Claytor Lake in the late 1940s, the species spread widely in the New River below Claytor Lake. The first West Virginia record is dated 1972 from the lower East River near the Virginia border. From there it spread into other parts of the New River drainage deeper in West Virginia. In Maine, the species was probably imported illegally as a baitfish; it was first observed in the state 1979 in the Cathance River, Kennebec River drainage (Kircheis 1994). It was stocked as a forage fish in Willard Bay, Utah, in 1982, and in Utah Lake in 1983 (Sigler and Sigler 1987). Specimens were taken from several locations in the upper Flint drainage, Georgia, in late 1997 (Ruessler, personal communication), these likely represent the result of a bait bucket introduction rather than from natural dispersal.

Status: Established, or presumably established, in Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming; reported from Colorado.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: Although this species has been recorded from the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia (Lee et al. 1980 et seq.; Mettee et al. 1996), there are no records of this fish from the lower reaches of that river (Mettee et al. 1996). Consequently, it is very unlikely that Notropis hudsonius recently discovered in the upper Flint drainage were the result of individuals dispersing naturally downstream into Lake Seminole and up the Flint River. Jenkins et al. (1972) listed it as "probably or possibly introduced" to the Kanawha River drainage above the falls. Voucher specimens: Georgia (UF uncatalogued).

References: (click for full references)

Rasmussen, J.L. 1998. Aquatic nuisance species of the Mississippi River basin. 60th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Aquatic Nuisance Species Symposium, Dec. 7, 1998, Cincinnati, OH.

Whittier, T. R., D. B. Halliwell and R. A. Daniels. 2000. Distributions of lake fishes in the Northeast - II. The Minnows (Cyprinidae). Northeastern Naturalist. 7(2): 3- 131-156.

Other Resources:

Author: Leo Nico, and Pam Fuller

Peer Review Date: 3/5/2015

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.