Habitat
Habitat includes runs, pools, and backwaters of warm, moderate- to somewhat low-gradient, large creeks and medium-sized to large rivers that typically are clear; this shiner also tolerates streams that generally are turbid (Burkhead and Jenkins 1991). In Illinois, habitat includes clear, gravelly, large creeks and small rivers but generally not small creeks or large rivers; most often it occurs over gravel in large riffles and pools just below them or eddies beside raceways, especially in relatively unmodified, tree-margined streams (Smith 1979). In some areas this fish occurs over silt bottoms. Schools form near the top or middle of the water column. Spawning occurs around logs, brush, and other obstructions, usually near riffles. Eggs are attached to the undersides of obstructions or placed above the bottom under loose bark, in crevices or furrows on logs, or among tree roots. Males maintain territories around spawning surfaces.