Pteronotropis signipinnis or flagfin shiner is a species of ray-finned

Actinopterygii

The Actinopterygii or ray-finned fishes constitute a class or sub-class of the bony fishes.The ray-finned fishes are so called because they possess lepidotrichia or "fin rays", their fins being webs of skin supported by bony or horny spines , as opposed to the fleshy, lobed fins that characterize...

 fish in the family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

 Cyprinidae (minnows), in the order Cypriniformes

Cypriniformes

The Cypriniformes are an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. This order contains 5-6 families, over 320 genera, and more than 3,250 species, with new species being described every few months or so, and new genera being recognized regularly...

 (carp).

Distribution

This freshwater species is benthopelagic and usually occurs over sand near vegetation, in creeks, small rivers, and flowing pools and runs of headwaters. They are found in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 in the Apalachicola river

Apalachicola River

The Apalachicola River is a river, approximately 112 mi long in the State of Florida. This river's large watershed, known as the ACF River Basin for short, drains an area of approximately into the Gulf of Mexico. The distance to its farthest headstream in northeast Georgia is approximately 500...

 in Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

, Pearl river

Pearl River

-Bodies of water:*Pearl River , river in the south of China**Pearl River Delta , area around the mouth of the Pearl River in Guangdong**Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, economic region in the PRD**Pearl River mega-city, proposed mega-city in the PRD...

 in Mississippi

Mississippi

Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...

, and parts of Louisiana

Louisiana

Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...

. They are also found in Alabama

Alabama

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

 but occur rarely.

Description

Pteronotropis signipinnis is small and colourful, growing to between 40 to 55 mm. The body tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. Much of the sides are covered by a lateral band dark in colour. The caudal, dorsal and anal fins are yellow or red-orange with black marginal rays. Present on the caudal fin base are two bright sulfur-yellow spots, with the region between the spots being substantially darker. Pteronotropis signipinnis exists syntopically with the sailfin shiner

Sailfin Shiner

The Sailfin Shiner is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to the southeastern United States....

, P. hypselopterus, and the two can be difficult to differentiate. Pteronotropis signipinnis can be distinguished by its red fins, yellow tail spots, and smaller tubercles.

Etymology

"Pteronotropis" means "winged keeled back", which refers to the breeding males' enlarged dorsal fin. "Signipinnis" means "banner fin", referring to the striking color of the median fins.