12 replies to this topic

[Michael Wolfe]

I want to set up a darter 10 gallon darter tank (I will get a 20 long at the next $1 a gallon sale) but I have a few questions.

1) First of all, would a sponge filter and a powerhead work for this tank? If so, does anyone know of a powerhead that would work?

2) I have 2 terra cotta pots disguised with rocks and I also have a mopani branch in the tank for cover. Would this be adequete?

3) And finally, how should I stock it? It's meant to be more of a show tank, so could it be just males? Could I have a pair of males and also some mid-top water fish?

Thank you in advance!

1. Yes, a sponge and powehead would work... and I have used a number of them... looks for somethign with the least wattages used for teh flow you want... wattage is energy which means heat going into teh water... something you dont want in the summer time...
2. Yes, your decorations will be fine... flattish rocks are also nice... nice to sit on... nice to hide under... even plants are OK... your darters may perch on a leaf, or hide next to teh base of the plant...
3. yes, it could be just males and yes, you could have some topminnows... I like F. chrysotus or F. cingulatus for color... but whatever you can find in your area would be good... and in a bigger tank...like a 20... you could have a handful of shiners instead... I like N. lutipinnis...

[Michael Wolfe]

Thanks for the advice! The Topminnows are few and far between around here. One species is actually severely endangered. Do you know of any other fish that would do well with Rainbows in a small habitat? Would Mudminnows work?

maybe, but I am not a big mudminnow fan yet... I have seen some that get too big... and I think their habitat is more sluggish water isnt it??? I think shiners and chubs are under appreciated... oh, I just thought of another one that I like... blacknose dace are nice... hardy, (althought they are known jumpers... and not too many fish are hardy after laying on the carpet for a while) and a typical stream inhaditant that you might actually see over some darters while you are out there snorkeling... my first choice would be a shiner... if you want to get fancy you could even go with rainbow shiners over rainbow darters...??? how bout that???

[Michael Wolfe]

Also, you really think a few Shiners would work in a 10 gallon? All of the Shiners I've seen have been pretty big and very active, not a good combo for such a small tank.

Sure, I do... but I guess I should be careful about the word 'shiner'... obviously, things like Cyprinella shiners get large and are very active... and there are others that probably would not be appropriate... I was thinking specifically of something like yellowfin shiners which are more of a 3-4 inch fish and in my experience adapt well to tank like... not sure if there is a MN comparable species...

But I also agree with Newt... if you have RBD in your area, these would be a classic combination stream fish that lives with darters...