Usually only specimens of four inches and up develop full color, though smaller males may show some red in the fins. Commons commonly reach seven or eight inches. Young fish lack the robust appearance of older ones. When viewed in the net, they exhibit subtle hues of metallic purple on their sides. These shades rarely show up in the aquarium.
Common shiners grow remarkably quickly in aquaria, even with normal feedings.
As community tank fish, common shiners are generally peaceful and rarely bother tankmates, even those much smaller. In full spawning condition, however, males can become a bit rammy, especially towards each other. Besides that, the common shiner's only drawbacks as aquarium fish are its relatively large size, plain silver color most of the year, and seemingly insatiable appetite. The spottail shiner has been a puzzle to us. Pennsylvania, we have only rarely been aware of encountering this fish in either of these drainages.