The Tallapoosa Shiner is native to the Tallapoosa River System where it is most common minnow in tributaries where it occurs. Like other members of its genus, Tallapoosa Shiners have diamond-shaped scales and spawn in crevices. They can be distinguished from the similar Tricolor Shiner (C. trichroistia) by the pattern of the tubercles, horny projections used in spawning, on the head of breeding males.