[3] The species of the genus Lythrurus are commonly found in small streams that are distributed mainly in drainages of the Gulf Coast, locations in the Mississippi Valley, and the Piedmont region of the Atlantic Seaboard.

The mountain shiner normally located above the Fall Line in Tennessee region, and prefers freshwaters that are of temperate climate.

An example of this for the population size variance would be the annual, seasonal and even daily level changes that occur in aquatic systems.

These waters are typically clear flowing, riffle-type creeks, streams or small rivers.

[6] However, some male specimens have been documented to reach a maximum size of 75 mm (Facts about mountain shiner).

This rare maximum length could be due to the environment as well as nutrients that are available and maybe limited pressure from predators within the aquatic system.

The typically mating season for the mountain shiner is in between the time span of May and can end between the months of June/July, depending on location.

[3] Currently, mountain shiners are a least concern species on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

However, research is ongoing to collect more data to help better understand the patterns and habits of this species, found in four states.