Loading profile. Please wait . . .
Alburnops asperifrons (Suttkus and Raney, 1955)
Burrhead Shiner
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: Threatened
Global Rank: G4
State Rank: S2
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
2025 SGCN Priority Tier: High Conservation Concern
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 11
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Small streams to medium-sized rivers in pools, slow runs, and backwater areas
The burrhead shiner is a slender minnow with a snout that slightly overhangs the mouth. Adults reach about 75 mm (3 inches) total length. The anterior lateral line scales are elevated (taller than wide) and there are usually 7 anal fin rays. It has a dark, narrow lateral stripe that encircles the snout and terminates as a spot at the base of the caudal fin. There is a pale stripe directly above the dark lateral stripe. The stripe running down the midline of the back (the mid-dorsal stripe) is limited to short streaks at the beginning and rear margin of the dorsal fin. The burrhead shiner does not develop bright breeding coloration, but nuptial males may develop a pale orange coloration on their body and fins.
The rainbow shiner (Notropis chrosomus) has 8 anal fin rays, a less prominent snout, and typically has some red coloration in the fins. The Coosa shiner (N. xaenocephalus) has a well-developed dorsal stripe, a terminal mouth, and anterior lateral line scales that are not elevated.
Pools and runs over rocky substrate in small to medium-sized clear streams.
Nothing has been published on the diet of the burrhead shiner. Like other minnows, it likely feeds on aquatic insects.
Nothing has been published on the life history of the burrhead shiner. Based on tuberculation patterns, spawning likely occurs from April through June.
Seining is a good method for collecting minnows. Because minnows are often mis-identified, voucher specimens should be kept to document new stream occurrences of the burrhead shiner.
The burrhead shiner is endemic to the Mobile Basin in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee (just barely), primarily above the Fall Line. In Georgia, this species is known from the Conasauga and Oostanaula river systems (Coosa River system). Most records are from the Ridge and Valley physiographic province, but this species does penetrate the Blue Ridge in the Conasauga River system. Check the [Fishes of Georgia Webpage](http://fishesofgeorgia.uga.edu/index.php?page=speciespages/species_page&key=notraspe) for a watershed-level distribution map.
The small number of populations makes this species vulnerable to extirpation from Georgia. It is also threatened by development along the I-75 corridor and the failure to follow agricultural best-management practices.
| Threat 1 | Threat 2 | Threat 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Threat | Residential & commercial development | Pollution | None |
| Specific Threat | None | Agricultural & forestry effluents | None |
There are several records on U.S. Forest Service property in the upper Conasauga, but all other populations are on private lands.
Conserving populations of the burrhead shiner will require general watershed-level conservation and restoration practices. Incentive programs to help farmers implement best-management practices could improve instream habitat by decreasing sediment, nutrient, and chemical runoff and increasing riparian forest cover. Conservation groups should work cooperatively with developers and local governments to minimize the impacts from new home construction and commercial development. Additional water withdrawals and impoundments should be minimized by promoting water conservation practices and augmenting existing water storage whenever possible.
Boschung, H. T. and R. L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Books, Washington D.C. 736 pp.
Etnier, D.A. and W.C. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville. 689 pp.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 1999. Protected animals of Georgia. Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Section, Social Circle. 247 pp.
Mettee, M. F., P. E. O'Neil, and J. M. Pierson. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile basin. Oxmoor House, Birmingham. 820 pp.
Skelton, C.E. and B. Albanese. 2006. Field guide to the fishes of the Conasauga river system. U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville, Georgia. 251 pp.
Brett Albanese
Jul-08