The redfin shiner is most commonly found in the Ohio and Mississippi River basins, as well as in drainages of the Great Lakes.

This species prefers calm water in low-gradient streams over substrates of gravel or sand with some vegetation.

The redfin shiner is easily identifiable with its deeply compressed body, large eyes and attractive colors.

These river systems are considered the geographic range of the species; however, the distribution throughout specific streams is still largely unknown.

The redfin shiner is a surface feeder, mainly preying on aquatic and terrestrial insects and other small invertebrates but will often feed extensively on algae.

Redfin shiners are an important species since they are a significant part of the diet of numerous game fish in the eastern United States.

Other predators consist of any mammals, reptiles, and birds that feed on small fish in the areas that the redfin shiner inhabits.

Sunfish tend to use sand and gravel when making their nests, which facilitates the protection and viability of redfin shiner eggs by concealing them as well as keeping them up out of the silt.

Due to the fact that populations have sustained in most areas this species is not listed as state or federally endangered in any of its geological range.