Riverine Fish

Ohio is blessed with an abundance of water, but like all developing areas, past and present land use practices affect our water resources.

Land uses that allow soil to runoff into our waterways cause silting of streams and increased turbidity, which can result in a lower quality of water and thus a loss in the diversity of aquatic organisms.

Fish have specific habitat requirements, thus the health of a fish community can tell us a great deal about the quality of the waterway where they reside.

Riverine Fish of Ohio's Scenic Rivers

Striped Shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus)

striped shinerThis is one of the common and widespread species of shiners found in Ohio.

It is statewide in its distribution inhabiting streams of all sizes. A pool dwelling species, the largest populations are found in the smaller streams in Ohio, particularly during the spring spawning period.