Beautiful, colored-up Saffron Shiners breeding in the Tellico River!

It's a common misconception that freshwater fish are drab, existing in a tedious green-brown band of the color spectrum. That couldn't be further from the truth, especially during the Appalachian springtime.
Need proof? Just check out these stoplight-vivid Saffron Shiners we recently found breeding in the Tellico River!

[@Seven7ails]

Wow! I’ve never seen this type before ❤

[@TinyTrailFarm]

Just saw them here in WNC today. Just before the headwaters of the Horsepasture River.

[@alexandernietoforero2402]

Beautiful, what's his name?

[@GertConradie]

beautiful

[@TinyTrailFarm]

These might be war paint shiners. I’m not sure.

[@terroristfearme2518]

I want some