Cardinal Shiner
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Luxilus zonatus

Maximum Size: 4
Shape: Compressed
Suggested Hook & Size: Mustad 33909 #2 - #14
Thread: Iron Gray, 8/0 Uni-thread

Tail: Black Hanked Lite-Brite
Tail Fin: Clear
Body: Black Bodi-Braid
Eye & Insert: Gold, Spirit River, Real Eye
with Priz Gold 3-D Molded insert
Lower Side: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite
Upper Side: Gold Hanked Lite-Brite stripe then a narrow Black Hanked Lite-Brite stripe then Chartreuse Hanked Lite-Brite over

Snout Color or Change Thread: Olive Dun, 8/0 Uni-Thread
Belly or Stomach: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite
Dorsum or Back: Chartreuse Hanked Lite-Brite then Dark Olive Hanked Lite-Brite over

Head Color: Olive
Cheek & Chin Color: White
Pectoral Fins: Clear
Anal Fin: Clear
Pelvic Fin: Clear
Dorsal Fin: Clear

Colored Markers: None
Tying Notes: None

Distribution: This specie is found only in the Ozarks in the upland Arkansas River within the Illinois River, Lee Creek, and Clear Creek. Also found in the uplands Neosho River drainage Habitat: Prefers clear, small streams to moderate rivers over gravel to bedrock bottoms. Avoid turbidity and headwaters, prefers riffles and pools with current.
Spawning Period; April to June
Spawning Habitat: Spawns over Redspot chub nests.
Important Notes: Is often the most dominant minnow in the streams that it inhabits.