[2] Warpaint shiners inhabit moderate to high gradient creeks, streams, and rivers with clear, cool water where they feed on aquatic insects.

The breeding season for warpaint shiners spans from May to June, during which time an individual will produce an average of 750 offspring.

[2] Heelsplitter populations have been adversely affected by human activities, such as the construction of dams and the pollution and siltation resulting from large scale agriculture.

[7] The warpaint shiner persists in its historical range although populations have been negatively affected by damming activity, siltation, and pollution in some locations and are currently threatened in Alabama.

Adult warpaint shiners are a pelagic freshwater fish found in rubble and gravel riffles and the pools of fast creeks with high clarity.

During the spring the warpaint shiner uses its large terminal mouth to primarily feed on aquatic insect larva from the order Ephemeroptera, such as mayfly nymphs.

Spawning occurs in clear running water over the margins of circular rock nests constructed by river chubs and takes place in May and June.

Warpaint shiners in the wild live to be around four years of age, slightly longer lifespans have been recorded for specimens in captivity.

[9] Habitat destruction resulting from deforestation, loss of riparian cover, siltation and the creation of impoundments pose the greatest risk to the warpaint shiner.

[4] In their larval stage these mussels are parasitic and need to attach to the gills or fins of fish in order to mature into juveniles.