This genus is usually characterized by almost all having a complete lateral line, 8 dorsal fin rays, a premaxillae protactile, and a silvery or speckled peritoneum.

The diet of N. volucellus consists of some terrestrial insects, small crustaceans, and midge pupae and larvae.

With less vegetation, a faster flow of water pours into streams and rivers and possibly causes erosion to its banks.

This influx of water and higher velocity of flow could have negative impacts on this species that lives in areas that has a relatively slow to moderate current.

Fish aged at 0 ate mostly Chydorus, but in the summer were found to eat varying amounts of invertebrates like small leeches and some chironomids.

At age 2, mimic shiners were found to eat other invertebrates than those stated after May while their diet consisted of 50–80% filamentous algae in September and early October but less than 50% at other times.

While effects of bioaccumulation are mostly studied in the larger piscivores, they can also be observed in smaller prey such as theNotropis volucellus.

[20] However, because males produce nuptial tubercles from late May to early October in Tennessee, it is suggested that Notropis volucellus have a longer breeding season than other areas which peak in the summer.

Changes in the hydraulic regime of the habitats mimic shiners live in could create unfavorable conditions to reproduce.

[23] In table 2 of a paper discussing effects of landscape change on fish abundances, the mimic shiner is also listed as intolerant to disturbances and thus has been decreasing in number.

It is reported, though not commonly sold in stores as such, mimic shiners were used in vast quantities as bait in Wisconsin lake and were even used as a primary source for food for fishes at one hatchery.

[1] While pollution and dams are a major problem or water ecosystems, this fish has not been reported to need assistance in respects to conservation.