14 Nebraskaland • April 2019
By Melissa Panella, Wildlife Biologist
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED:
THE TOPEKA SHINER
It's easy to get excited about a trophy-sized trout or bass,
but there are also many unique small fish to appreciate in
Nebraska. A fine example is the Topeka shiner (Notropis
topeka) which inhabits high-quality, small coolwater and
small warmwater prairie streams. The scales of the breeding
male are tinted from silver to gold in color, and the head and
fins are golden-orange. A dark lateral line extends from the
head to tail fin. This silver and gold beauty only grows to
about 2 to 3 inches long.
Topeka shiners are state and federally listed as endangered.
Their numbers have declined because much of their historic
habitat has been altered or degraded. In Nebraska, they are
only found in clear, calm water in pool-like habitat in Cherry
and Madison counties. These pools can be within the stream
or in habitats such as overflow pools and oxbows of the
river. Topeka shiners can survive in streams that only flow
intermittently, provided that the pools can be sustained by
natural groundwater seepage.
Males occupy small spawning territories and are known
to chase other fish out of their area. You may find Topeka
shiners in proximity to green and orangespotted sunfish.
However, Topeka shiners are restricted in their ability to
disperse to new habitat because it is difficult for them to
make their way among streams.
Protection and enhancement of prairie streams where
Topeka shiners live is the best hope for the species. Stream
restoration efforts could also be beneficial but only in places
where there is permission to reintroduce them to those
locations. Clean, clear water is important to Topeka shiners.
Prevention of heavy silt and pollutants from contaminating
the stream is healthy for the fish and for maintaining water
quality that anyone can appreciate.
TOPEKA
SHINERS.
PHOTO
BY
MICHAEL
FORSBERG
IN THE FIELD
