10 replies to this topic

[juhason]

I have 3 blackstripe topminnows from the river in my 55 community tank. I have 2 males and a female. Normally I would expect the males to be mean to each other but they are actually very docile. My female is bigger and vicious. She attacks the males every time she sees them, and sometimes chases around the tetras. I also temporarily had some white cloud mountain minnows and since they were small, she was trying to eat them, even though there was no way she could swallow them, so she was biting off their tails. I thought they were supposed to be peaceful! I also have some golden topminnows in another tank and they are bullying each other a little too. Is this normal?

[Michael Wolfe]

I have less experience with Blckstripes... but in my experience goldens can easily turn all highlander... there can be only one... they get pretty territorial towards anything like looks like them... so I am guessing that the white clouds were too long and skinny looking (at least as far as your topminnow was concerned.  She might leave other minnows (like cyprinellas) allone and would probably not bother darters or other fish that didnt seem to be competition.

 

I have usually been able to keep a single pair in a mixed tank with other fish... but if there is a third fundulus, there will be a war until it is just one male and one female again.

[Sunfish Catcher 321]

My experience with black stripe or spotted don't remember now but I had a big group and they were fine. So maybe more.

[juhason]

I have less experience with Blckstripes... but in my experience goldens can easily turn all highlander... there can be only one... they get pretty territorial towards anything like looks like them... so I am guessing that the white clouds were too long and skinny looking (at least as far as your topminnow was concerned.  She might leave other minnows (like cyprinellas) allone and would probably not bother darters or other fish that didnt seem to be competition.

 

I have usually been able to keep a single pair in a mixed tank with other fish... but if there is a third fundulus, there will be a war until it is just one male and one female again.

I guess that makes sense... hopefully it works out though! I actually started with 6 and 3 jumped... maybe from bullying? 

 

My experience with black stripe or spotted don't remember now but I had a big group and they were fine. So maybe more.

I started out with a bunch though and they were always fighting. Do you think if I have a lot of fish in general it would work or do they have to be the same species?

[Sunfish Catcher 321]

Mostly the same species I think but mine co existed fine for a year or two but I ran out of turtle pellets and had no money so there gone.

[juhason]

Mostly the same species I think but mine co existed fine for a year or two but I ran out of turtle pellets and had no money so there gone.

Turtle pellets?! How big were they? I think I might just get separate the female into another tank for now she is too mean. Once the weather warms up I can get more from the lake, but I have other fish in the tank and don't know if I want more. 

[Sunfish Catcher 321]

They were like 2.5 inches maybe

[swampfish]

In my experience, generalizations about fish behavior commonly have exceptions. I have had blackstripe topminnows

[strat guy]

How do you guys feel about mixing top minnows? I've got black stripe, black spotted, and star head in my area and want to get some in the spring. Tank is 6' long so there will be room for fish to swim and hide. Just wanted to know if inter species aggression is common, I'd like to keep a fairly large group since that's how they are in the wild. What about male female ratio? Does it matter at all?

Thanks!

[juhason]

How do you guys feel about mixing top minnows? I've got black stripe, black spotted, and star head in my area and want to get some in the spring. Tank is 6' long so there will be room for fish to swim and hide. Just wanted to know if inter species aggression is common, I'd like to keep a fairly large group since that's how they are in the wild. What about male female ratio? Does it matter at all?

Thanks!

Hello, sorry I took so long to get back to you. I am now currently keeping 3 blackstripe topminnows and 4 golden topminnows in the same. The seperate species have absolutely no issues with each other. I think you could easily keep multiple species in the same tank without any issues. They do however act aggressively towards conspecifics, but for the two or three months that i have had them they haven't done any serious damage. 

[strat guy]

Good to hear! Getting about time to head out to find some!