Luxilus cornutus - BIO203
What does the Shiner Eat?
Luxilus cornutus is much like every other fish in how it
acquires its nutrients. First of all, the common shiner is an omnivore,
which means that it will eat both plant matter and other animals. The common
shiner eats equal amounts of plant and animal matter which is different
from some of the other fish. Smaller fish, including most other minnows,
will eat more plant matter, where as larger fish will eat more animal
matter. The shiner feeds at the water surface, in the water column, and
also at the bottom of its habitat.
Some of the common organisms seen in this fish's diet are filamentous
algae and other higher plant organisms including detritus. More adult shiners will begin to
feed on aquatic insects, both the larvae and the adult form, such as the
mayfly, and microcrustaceans. The largest shiners will
even eat other small fish! One
aspect of nature that has been found to be very important in explaining
the shiner's feeding variability is water level variation. If the water
level and turbidity increases dramatically, this results in a decrease
in the availability of insect larvae. This will in turn force the shiner
to increase its diet on plant material, assuming it is readily
available. If not, the fish's life may end quicker than expected.
Go back home, or learn about some fish reproduction.