The Red Shiner is widespread throughout northern Mexico and the central United States to South Dakota, including the lower Tennessee River Drainage. They have been widely introduced throughout the United States, including the Mobile Basin. They live in pools and runs over a variety of substrates in creeks to medium rivers. The Red Shiner is tolerant to high siltation and turbidity. As the common name suggests, breeding male Red Shiners have a red coloration on their head and fins.