10 replies to this topic

[littlen]

Hello pepe. What area of VA are you in? I'm actually in Northern Va, about 20 miles SW of Washington DC. If you're from the western half of the state, Derek (who will hopefully chime in) can certainly help you with acquiring fish--depending on which direction you want to go. What sort of specific information are you looking for? Help us with our suggestions by providing information like tank size, and a desired list. Most people on the forum are avid fish keepers and will get you started.

[Michael Wolfe]

Greenfins are not that bad. Sure, they are a a Cyprinella with the associated attitude, but in a seventy five, there will be lots of room for another species or two that can avoid the worst of the aggression. Something like a few Nocomis chubs would be fine, and you could also add a less dominant Notropis that might get chased, but should be able to avoid the territorial needs of the greenfin.

[littlen]

I agree with Michael. When one hears the word "aggressive" used to describe a fish--usually it is associated with 'cichlid-like' aggression. This is obviously not the case with Cyprinella shiners. Sure, of our native fish, this group is more dominant, but they usually take their aggression out on one another. But that is what makes shiners fun to own and watch. The most serious damage they do is a little fin picking among mature males as they establish themselves. In a 75 you'll have room for a fairly large school of Greenfins. I'd easily get a dozen or two. You live in a good area for some James River drainage species. Think about adding some darters to your tank. They live side by side with the shiners, yet rarely if at all do they interact with them.

Good luck.

[mattknepley]

I agree with Michael and Nick. Greenfins can be rough, but mostly with each other, and with enough room they'll be fine tank mates for many other fish. I have noticed with mine that the more there are, the more interaction there is, but the less abuse any one fish takes. They also take less notice of other tank mates when they have more of their own kind to worry about. (And the sparring is fascinating to watch.) My greenfins only make the occasional run at other fish in the tank, and it only lasts long enough to chase them away from whatever Mr. or Ms. Cyprinella felt especially attached to at that moment. (The noticeable exception was my creek chubsucker, who seemed to get more unwanted interaction with the greenfins than any other fish, but now that he is easily bigger than they are he's left alone, too.) In addition to the chubsucker, I keep my C. chloristia with darters (Christmas, tessellated, turquoise, Piedmont, Carolina, and blackline), and other shiners (greenhead, spottail, dusky). Everything seems to go well.

PS. C. chloristia are crevice spawners. If you have "rock on rock" or other nook and cranny type features, you'll probably see reproductive type behavior. Mine do it quite often, though I don't hold out much hope for any success in their current housing.