Carmine Shiner
Konrad Schmidt
Slender body shape with a sharply pointed head. Grows up to 3 ½ inches in length. Dark on top with a black streak on top of a silver stripe. Body is a bluish sheen. Faint red spot at the base of the dorsal fin. Breeding males have bright red heads.
Status in North Dakota
Resident.
Range Map
Carmine Shiner primary (dark gray) range and possible (light gray) range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
Rare in the Red River drainage. Stream degradation and loss of suitable habitat within its range due to land use practices is the major concern for the decline of this species.
Threats
Degradation of quality habitat is recognized as the leading cause for decline in this species; specifically, loss and destruction of riparian habitat along waterways caused by current land use practices.
Additionally, the addition of dams to the Sheyenne River has fragmented habitat and blocked fish movement.
Research and Monitoring
- The states rivers and streams are surveyed for species on a 5-year rotating schedule.
- North Dakota DEQ staff survey rivers and streams through their Index of Biotic Integrity program.
Management Recommendations
- Continue to use the Section 404 program to ensures affected rivers and riparian areas are mitigated to replace form and function.
- Continue to work with other federal agencies not covered by 404 to ensure affected rivers and riparian areas are mitigated to replace form and function.
- Continue to work with NDSWC to develop instream flow recommendations.
- Promote incentive programs to restore riparian areas.
- Continue to work with ND 319 Task Force in prioritizing projects within impaired watersheds and implementing BMPs.
- Implement intake conditions or recommendations.
- Cooperate with NDGFD Fisheries staff on state aquatic nuisance species plans.
- Removal of dams and other barriers.
- Retrofitting dams with fish passage structures.
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Found in pools with some current, or more swiftly flowing stretches adjacent to pools.