The orangetail shiner (Pteronotropis merlini) is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to the southeastern United States.

It is endemic to in the Choctawhatchee River drainage in southeastern Alabama.

Breeding males have a chevron-shaped black blotch at the origin of the caudal fin separated from a dark black stripe along the side, and have orange caudal and anal fins.

[2] The fish is the only fish found exclusively in Alabama,[3] primarily upland in the Choctawhatchee River system before it merges with the Pea River.

[2][4] Orangetail shiners are found in sand-bottomed and silt-bottomed creeks and small rivers.