Any one of numerous species of small freshwater American
   cyprinoid fishes, belonging to Notropis, or Minnilus, and allied
   genera; as the redfin (Notropis megalops), and the golden shiner
   (Notemigonus chrysoleucus) of the Eastern United States; also loosely
   applied to various other silvery fishes, as the dollar fish, or
   horsefish, menhaden, moonfish, sailor's choice, and the sparada.