Hello all, I have been lurking here for a little while and have become interested in setting up a native aquarium at some point. I have never kept fish, native or otherwise, but I have enjoyed observing them in some of the lakes and streams around here.
I work in downtown Kalamazoo and occasionally I have a chance to get outside on my lunch break. I usually walk along Portage Creek (tributary to Kalamazoo River and recently reclaimed Superfund site). I've seen all kinds of fish there: big, pink, fired-up Luxilus (Striped or Common, I don't know), Northern Hogsuckers, ubiquitous Green Sunfish, and the first darters I ever saw. They were Rainbows and they were so bright, they didn't look real. And I always thought people here were exaggerating when they said pictures didn't do them justice . . .
I have a fair number of questions, but I will do my best not to ask too many that have already been answered.
New from Michigan
Started by
Guest_KzooFish_*
, Dec 03 2013 09:01 PM
11 replies to this topic
#6
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 04 December 2013 - 07:20 PM
Yes, where were my manners, welcome to the NANFA forum, and be sure to check out the website as well. Michifish is right you have them both, at least in the southern part of the state.I would guess that in general you are more likely to see commons in the state overall, but I am sure that depends greatly on where your feet are. So now you have a quest, identify which species you have seen, if not both, that is where the real fun begins. If you think the rainbow darters are amazing now, give them another month or so.
Sounds like that even though you are interested in setting up tank, that you are really enjoying observing them as well. We have quite a few members that are diehard observers. You may get a lot of enjoyment out of snorkeling some of your local streams. Though I rarely snorkel, it is amazing how once you are in the water eye to eye with the fish, how much they lose their fear. Unless you are well outfitted, this may just be a summertime option.
Sounds like that even though you are interested in setting up tank, that you are really enjoying observing them as well. We have quite a few members that are diehard observers. You may get a lot of enjoyment out of snorkeling some of your local streams. Though I rarely snorkel, it is amazing how once you are in the water eye to eye with the fish, how much they lose their fear. Unless you are well outfitted, this may just be a summertime option.
#9
Guest_MichiJim_*
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Posted 05 December 2013 - 08:59 AM
Most of the Luxilus species I have seen in this state have been common shiners. But then, most of what I have seen have been incidental to other catches.
Welcome aboard. Nice place, Kalamazoo. Some of the best places to collect different species in the state. Go a little east or west, and you can get into areas that are influenced by the St. Joe and the River Raisin which bring in some fish you won't find anywhere else in Michigan.
I agree that the rainbow darters are pretty special. If you want to see something that will blow your mind, go look for some greenside darters. They are localy common in your part of the state and when in full breeding coloration (you may see it as early as March, more likely April into early May) they are a stunning. And larger than rainbows as well. Awsome aquarium fish.
Check the DNR website, they have very good range maps for the state, although I have found fish well outside their expected ranges.
Welcome aboard. Nice place, Kalamazoo. Some of the best places to collect different species in the state. Go a little east or west, and you can get into areas that are influenced by the St. Joe and the River Raisin which bring in some fish you won't find anywhere else in Michigan.
I agree that the rainbow darters are pretty special. If you want to see something that will blow your mind, go look for some greenside darters. They are localy common in your part of the state and when in full breeding coloration (you may see it as early as March, more likely April into early May) they are a stunning. And larger than rainbows as well. Awsome aquarium fish.
Check the DNR website, they have very good range maps for the state, although I have found fish well outside their expected ranges.
#10
Guest_KzooFish_*
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Posted 07 December 2013 - 09:25 PM
Skipjack - I'll have to see if I can find them next month. I saw these rainbows back around the beginning of April. They were in a shallow pool filled with baseball-sized cobble, all scuzzy with mulm and silt. Definitely not what I pictured as rainbow darter habitat. By early June the adults were not to be found, but there were dozens of < 1" little darters all over that area. By July, nothing.
Actually, I threw on some plain ol' lap-swimming goggles last summer and paddled around in one of the weedy glacial lakes a little east of here. Lots of najas "bushes" across the bottom and dozens of 2-5" bluegill checking me out (there's something very dog-like about them). Also (I think) bluntnose minnows, perch, and some decent-sized lm bass at the edges of the lily pads. They would let me get quite close until my feet touched the bottom. Then they would back off a good 5-6 feet.
Ben - Perhaps I'm confused, but I can't seem to open your pictures.
Actually, I threw on some plain ol' lap-swimming goggles last summer and paddled around in one of the weedy glacial lakes a little east of here. Lots of najas "bushes" across the bottom and dozens of 2-5" bluegill checking me out (there's something very dog-like about them). Also (I think) bluntnose minnows, perch, and some decent-sized lm bass at the edges of the lily pads. They would let me get quite close until my feet touched the bottom. Then they would back off a good 5-6 feet.
Ben - Perhaps I'm confused, but I can't seem to open your pictures.
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