What is black shiner?

Black shiner is a species of freshwater fish that belongs to the family Cyprinidae. It is commonly found in streams, rivers, and other freshwater bodies in North America. They are small-sized fish, typically measuring around 3-4 inches in length. Black shiners have a deep, compressed body, with a blackish or olive green back and a silvery-white belly. They have a distinctive, vertical black bar below their eye. These fish are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of small creatures such as insects, algae, and small invertebrates. Black shiners are known for their active and lively nature, and are often used as bait in fishing. They are considered to be a very important and ubiquitous species in many river systems throughout their range. However, they may be vulnerable to habitat degradation and pollution, and may be affected by the introduction of non-native species.