This species is our most common native fish. It is found in all Kansas habitats, but it prefers larger rivers and stream pools. Some of the success of the red shiner is a result of its ability to live and breed in areas that have little flow, muddy water, or even marked pollution. It is short-lived, matures within a year, and produces large numbers of young throughout the spring and summer. All these features help to ensure that there will be more red shiners next year. Red shiners usually eat small aquatic animals, but sometimes eat algae. Like most minnows, red shiners prefer to live in schools. They are typically three inches or less in size.