New Darter Tank
#1 Guest_aquachromis_*
Posted 03 February 2011 - 04:21 PM
So some question:
1. Can I keep more than one species of darter in this tank? I like the Rainbow, Orangethroat, Tennessee Snubnose, Savannah, Seagreen, and Blackbanded Darters that I've found available online. Obviously I can't keep all of those but would any 2 work?
2. How much current should I shoot for and how much is too much for a 20long tank? I thought I might use a maxijet 1200 that I bought several years ago. I'm afraid this may be overkill though and I may need to buy a new powerhead with a lower gph rating.
3. Do I need to worry about hybridization if I keep more than one species in the same tank?
4. How many of each species should I initially stock with?
Thanks in advance for any help/answers.
#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 03 February 2011 - 04:42 PM
Try setting up the tank and seeing how it is. As long as there are different levels of current in the tank (areas of high, medium, and low flow), then the darters can hang out in the level of current that suites their mood.2. How much current should I shoot for and how much is too much for a 20long tank? I thought I might use a maxijet 1200 that I bought several years ago. I'm afraid this may be overkill though and I may need to buy a new powerhead with a lower gph rating.
Going with a bigger powerhead and then blocking some of the flow with rock placement is easier than having too small of a powerhead and wishing you could make it a faster flow.
No. If they breed (a big if), they'll eat all their young in a tank that small.3. Do I need to worry about hybridization if I keep more than one species in the same tank?
#3 Guest_andyavram_*
Posted 03 February 2011 - 07:38 PM
Also, you would probably have a hard time creating too much flow for darters. These are mostly riffle fishes.
Andy
#4 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 03 February 2011 - 07:39 PM
Most darters are compatible with each other. I've had more aggression between 2 fish of the same species than I have 2 fish of different species.
#5
Posted 03 February 2011 - 08:24 PM
1) I second the advice to get out there in the water and learn about the fish first hand. Getting out is a big part of the fun and allows you to learn a lot more about the fish. Yes, two species would work. Of the ones you listed I think all are Etheostoma except for the blackbanded, which is a Percina. Blackbandeds actually have a reasonable swim bladder and can maitain their position a little higher in the water column, so they would easily work with any of the other Etheostoma, which really have no swim bladder and need to rest almost always on the bottom.1. Can I keep more than one species of darter in this tank? I like the Rainbow, Orangethroat, Tennessee Snubnose, Savannah, Seagreen, and Blackbanded Darters that I've found available online. Obviously I can't keep all of those but would any 2 work?
2. How much current should I shoot for and how much is too much for a 20long tank? I thought I might use a maxijet 1200 that I bought several years ago. I'm afraid this may be overkill though and I may need to buy a new powerhead with a lower gph rating.
3. Do I need to worry about hybridization if I keep more than one species in the same tank?
4. How many of each species should I initially stock with?
2)The maxijet will work, unless you are blowing hte water out of the tank, you are not pushing too hard for the darters.
3)No, probably not, especially if you go with one Etheostoma and one Percina
4)I would start with say 6, maybe 4 of the Etheostoma species you like, and 2 of a Percina.
#6 Guest_aquachromis_*
Posted 03 February 2011 - 10:01 PM
#7 Guest_decal_*
Posted 03 February 2011 - 10:09 PM
#8 Guest_aquachromis_*
Posted 04 February 2011 - 11:07 AM
I caught rainbow darters and sculpin years ago in Roaring River State Park, you might try there.
Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately that's about 5 hrs from Saint Louis. The fish of Missouri book shows collection info for each species and there seem to be several that are nearby. What's the best time of year to try collecting fish for the aquarium?
#9 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 04 February 2011 - 11:53 AM
#10 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 04 February 2011 - 12:01 PM
Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately that's about 5 hrs from Saint Louis. The fish of Missouri book shows collection info for each species and there seem to be several that are nearby. What's the best time of year to try collecting fish for the aquarium?
The best time of the year to see beautiful colors is the spring. Most fish breed in the spring/early summer and darter's colors are stunning. Most darters can be easily caught in the spring, summer, and fall. If you want to add some shiners/minnows, get them in cooler weather (spring/fall) as they will stress easy and likely develope finrot and die if you collect them in the summer. When I have collect minnows in the summer, I have caught them near my house and went directly home to cooler water.
I have used these nets found in the pool section of Walmart for a few years. They are cheap and easy to replace when you're out. I use a painters pole from lowes and drill holes in it to mount the nets
I just recently ordered a Perfect Dipnet and look forward to using it. You may want to look into this as you can end up spending more in the long run on several cheap nets.
The method is fairly simple and you'll perfect it as you go. You can drag the net across the bottom of a riffle, or hold it at the lower section of a riffle and kick the rocks and bottom up while moving towards the net. (this is a common question, somebody should make a youtube video.
Check THIS out. The last photo on the left is a person kicknetting. You can also use a small siene in the same way, though I prefer the dipnet.
#11 Guest_aquachromis_*
Posted 04 February 2011 - 03:31 PM
#12
Posted 04 February 2011 - 03:42 PM
Seining in fast water at NANFA convention 2006... oh by the way this was in Missouri even!
#13 Guest_aquachromis_*
Posted 04 February 2011 - 05:51 PM
#14 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 04 February 2011 - 08:38 PM
#15 Guest_farmertodd_*
Posted 05 February 2011 - 12:24 AM
For a mind blowing snorkel, head a little further down to Sam A. Baker SP on the Big Creek portions behind the nature center and through the campground. That is a monster WOW.
You might also check out the MDC site for where to fish:
http://mdc.mo.gov/fi...an-i-go-fishing
Both the Atlas and the Boat Ramp applications are excellent resources. You're lucky to live in a state that values its outdoors enough to make a voluntary tax to support conservation.
Todd
#16 Guest_star5328_*
Posted 05 February 2011 - 03:22 AM
#17 Guest_lgyure85_*
Posted 29 January 2012 - 01:11 AM
I know this was over a year ago, but I plan on collecting outside of St. Louis in the Spring. Do you happen to still have that list?I posted a question on the Missouri Aquarium Society's board and received a list of local areas that I could try for collecting, including several areas that have good Darter populations. They also have an annual collecting trip in late Spring.
#18 Guest_harryknaub_*
Posted 31 January 2012 - 03:38 PM
This suggestion may be out there, but I believe that the AKA's convention is in Saint Louis this year and I think that our own Charlie Nunziata is presenting at that convention. Maybe if he participates in the collecting activities, he or someone may be able to give pointers.Thanks for all the quick replies. I guess I'm not opposed to collecting my own fish. It's just not something I've ever done before so I'd have no idea where to even start...What type of net would be best? I'll research MO fishing regulations further but I'm pretty sure they aren't super strict.
Harry Knaub
I guess next time I should check the dates be fore replying. Opps
Edited by harryknaub, 31 January 2012 - 03:41 PM.
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