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Cyprinidae Genus Level Identifiers
General things to look for:- Body depth and compression.
- Mouth orientation.
- Body and fin coloration.
Genus Campostoma (stonerollers)- Body elongate and moderately robust. Unique adaption of hardened tissue on lower jaw (used to scrape algae). Breeding males often have striking tubercules.
Genus Clinostomus (daces)- Body moderately deep and moderately compressed. Mouth terminal. Males (less distinct in females) often have a thick red lateral stripe (especially when breeding).
Genus Cyprinella (shiners)- Body elongate to moderately deep. Dorsal fin insertion just posterior of posterior end of pelvic fin insertion. Dorsal fin with varying degrees of dark pigmentation.
Genus Cyprinus (common carp)- Body deep and large when fully mature. Distinct barbels present near mouth. Dorsal fin somewhat stiffer than other cyprinids.
Genus Erimystax (chubs)- Body elongate. Mouth subterminal. Dorsal fin anterior insertion point anterior of pelvic fin. Breeding males without bright colors.
Genus Luxilus (shiners)- Body elongate to deep, often compressed. Mouth terminal to somewhat oblique. Dorsal fin anterior insertion in line, or slighly behind pelvic fin anterior insertion point.
Genus Lynthrurus (shiners)- Body elongate to deep, compressed. Mouth terminal to moderately oblique.
Genus Nocomis (chubs)- Body robust, slightly to moderately deep. Mature adults larger than most cyprinids. Eye small in relation to size of body. Body often dark dorsally, becoming lighter ventrally.
Genus Notropis (chubs, minnows, and shiners)- A very large genus that does not have consistent, defining characteristics.
Genus Pimephales (minnows)-Body robust (especially in adults), slightly to moderately deep. Mouth subterminal, terminal or slightly oblique. Snout ends abruptly, somewhat rounded. No bright colors, although dark blotches of breeding fatheads (Pimephales promelas) can be quite striking.
Genus Semotilus (chubs)- Body robust. Adults may grow quite large under the right conditions. Mouth terminal or slightly oblique, quite large.