Bluefin Stoneroller

Campostoma pauciradii

Leuciscidae · freshwater water fish

2 minute read · Species guide

Bluefin Stoneroller field guide illustration

About Bluefin Stoneroller

The bluefin stoneroller (Campostoma pauciradii) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish in the family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. This fish is endemic to the southeastern United States.

Distribution

It is found primarily in the Altamaha and Apalachicola river watersheds in Georgia and Alabama. There are also records from the Alabama and Tennessee river watersheds in Georgia.

Ecology

The bluefin stoneroller lives in rocky riffles, runs, and sometimes pools in streams.

Life history

It can be distinguished from other members of the genus Campostoma by its number of gill rakers, which usually number 12-16, as well as the blue-green fin coloration in breeding males and meristic trait variation.

Additional field notes

Bluefin stoneroller are associated with rocky southeastern streams.

Sources: Campostoma pauciradii species summary

Habitats within the range

FishBase describes adult habitat as rocky riffles and runs, with pools also used, in headwaters, creeks, and small rivers. Its range account places most Apalachicola and Oconee drainage records above the Fall Line. It also lists the extreme upper Tallapoosa and Etowah drainages and the Toccoa River system in Georgia. These named drainage limits are more useful than assuming the fish occupies every stream across a state.

Sources: Campostoma pauciradii species summary

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Article text: Wikipedia contributors, Bluefin stoneroller (source revision). Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Retrieved 2026-10-11.

Diet and feeding

The FishTraits compilation records these diet categories for this species: algae or phytoplankton; detritus or unidentified plant material. These are broad categories, not a claim that every individual consumes every example in a category.

Reported feeding positions include bottom feeding. The compilation combines published observations; diets can vary with age, locality, and available food.

Habitat preferences

Reported habitat associations include streams and small rivers, creeks.

The source records associations with sand, gravel, cobble. An association indicates reported use, rather than an exclusive requirement.

Reproduction and parental care

The compilation reports a representative maturity age of 2 years. Its maturity field summarizes mean, median, or modal estimates, usually for females; male estimates can be used when female data are unavailable. It is not a fixed age at which every fish first breeds.

Recorded spawning months are Apr, May for the source’s reporting region (GA). This is a regional calendar, not a range-wide schedule.

The reproductive-guild classification includes hiding a brood without subsequent guarding.

Size and recorded longevity

FishTraits reports a maximum total length of 16 centimetres. Some entries use an estimated asymptotic length; this value should not be treated as a certified record catch.

Recorded longevity in the compilation is 5 years. Wild observations were preferred, but captive records were accepted where wild records were unavailable, and unspecified records were assumed wild. The value is not a guaranteed wild lifespan or an aquarium life expectancy.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 666 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 3 states.
0%
61.7%
Share of 666 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 3 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in fresh water.
Migration
Undetermined

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Cypriniformes
Genus
Campostoma
Species
Campostoma pauciradii
ITIS TSN
163511
WoRMS AphiaID
1012158
GBIF key
2361356

Common questions about Bluefin Stoneroller

What is the scientific name of Bluefin Stoneroller?
The scientific name is Campostoma pauciradii, in the family Leuciscidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Bluefin Stoneroller live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in fresh water.
Where has Bluefin Stoneroller been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 3 states, with the most records in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives

Other Campostoma species

Same family

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