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Life Along a
Prairie River

Exploring the ecology of the wide and sandy rivers of the Great Plains

In the last 45 years, this small, fresh-water fish has disappeared from over 80% of its historic range. As its name implies, the Arkansas River shiner was historically found throughout the Arkansas River drainage which includes several prairie rivers that flow through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and New Mexico. Now, however, the shiner is no longer found in the Arkansas River, North Canadian River, or Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. The species appears to be stable in the Canadian River, however, river flow over the years have declined. An extremely small population may still persist in the Cimarron River. Primary threats to the species include groundwater pumping, diversion of surface water, and impoundments, all which affect surface water flows and water quality.

The Arkansas River shiner is about 5 cm long and is very difficult to distinguish from other minnows found in prairie rivers. They primarily eat small aquatic invertebrates found in the shifting sand shallow of shadeless creeks and river channels. This species reproduces during the late spring and summer. Females release eggs and males simultaneously release sperm; called broadcast spawning. The fertilized eggs travel with the current for many miles before hatching after one or two days. Because of this unique life history pattern, the species needs long stretches of naturally flowing river for its reproduction and survival. The larvae can live on the nutrition they gained from the yolk of their egg for a few days before having to find food on their own.

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