SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyprinella callistia CHARACTERISTICS: The
Alabama shiner has somewhat stout, moderately elongate body that
is slightly compressed. The head is triangular and large, and
the mouth is relatively large, horizontal, and located on the
bottom of the head. Breeding males are beautiful, with a blue-
black caudal spot and steel-blue back and sides grading to a
cream venter. Fins have milky white shading, while the dorsal
fin is bright red in the front and has a large black spot on the
back. (In breeding males, the dorsal fin is expanded.) The
caudal fin is bright red edged in white and yellow. See Jordan
(1877a) for original description. ADULT SIZE: 2.6 to 3.5 in (65
to 90 mm) DISTRIBUTION: Cyprinella callistia is endemic to the
Mobile basin and is found most frequently above the Fall Line.
The Alabama shiner is one of the dominant minnow species found
in the Cahaba, Coosa, and Tallapoosa river systems. Mettee et
al. (1987) report isolated populations of Alabama shiners in
Okatuppa and Tuckabum creeks