Balsas Shiner
Notropis boucardi
The Balsas shiner is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. This species is endemic to Mexico.
1
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Guillermo Aceves, all rights reserved, uploaded by Guillermo Aceves
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Cypriniformes
Family
Cyprinidae
Genus
Notropis
Balsas Shiner belongs to the family Cyprinidae, order Cypriniformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
The Balsas shiner is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. This species is endemic to Mexico.
The Balsas Shiner faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited range within the Balsas River basin of Mexico. Agricultural runoff, urban development, and water extraction have significantly altered the aquatic ecosystems this species depends on for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Earlier believed to be widespread in the Balsas River drainage, recent studies have shown that it is confined to a small system of streams in the vicinity of its type locality near Cuernavaca, as well as an endorheic spring in nearby Jiutepec, both in the state of Morelos. It inhabits shallow streams with a rocky bottom. The diet consists of insects such as simulids and chironomids.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Balsas Shiner faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited range within the Balsas River basin of Mexico. Agricultural runoff, urban development, and water extraction have significantly altered the aquatic ecosystems this species depends on for survival.
Agricultural pollution and runoff
Limited geographic range vulnerability
Urban development and habitat modification
Water extraction and flow alteration
Sedimentation from land use changes
Found in 1 Country
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Balsas Shiner (Notropis boucardi). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/balsas-shiner