The blackchin shiner (Notropis heterodon) is an abundant North American species of freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae.

Chiefly occurring now in the Great Lakes and occasionally in upper Mississippi River drainages, the blackchin once ranged commonly as far south as Illinois and Ohio.

Blackchin shiners are unique because of their anatomical features, such as the black coloring, the incomplete lateral line, and a distinctive dental arrangement.

American naturalist Edward Drinker Cope described the blackchin shiner in 1865 as Alburnops heterodon, from specimens collected in Lansing and Grosse Isle, Michigan.

Their maneuverable bodies are slim, which allows them accuracy and efficiency near the safety of weeds, but proves difficult for them when they encounter moving water.

[1] Whether the fish are remaining stable or in slight decline is currently unknown due to a lack of data, but they are ranked as a species of 'Least Concern'.

[7] Juvenile blackchin shiners are visually and anatomically similar to their adult counterparts, although the black lateral line may be faint.

Female blackchin shiners collected between the months of July and August are often reported to be carrying mature eggs.

These factors increase the likelihood that the blackchin shiner is a food source for juvenile northern pike (Esox lucius) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens), both of which are found in the same areas of Manitoba.

[4] Water fleas (cladocera) and midges have been found inside the blackchin shiner's digestive system,[8] the presence of the latter showing that the fish takes them at the river surface.

The worms and plant material also found in the stomachs of these fish lend evidence that this omnivore also has the ability to do some foraging and bottom-feeding, as well.

This anatomical location alludes to the fact that these shiners probably feed midwater, although this position is versatile and therefore alone does not provide conclusive evidence of this.