6 replies to this topic

[Leo1234]

Are there any minnows that will live more than 2 years in aquariums? I keep reading that a lot of the native minnows live 1-2 years, so I'm hesitant to get them.

[Michael Wolfe]

Life span in the wild is much different than life span in the predator-free confines of the tank. A lot of my fish have lived well past their supposed life span.

[Matt DeLaVega]

I know that due to low diversity in your state, that you have to purchase many of your fish, but are there any local minnows that you can legally collect? See, I have never worried too much about lifespan as I can replenish them easily. Even rather dull colored minnows liven up a tank. Also there is a big void of people breeding native fish. Maybe you could set yourself up and breed one of the easier to breed species, and have some extras to trade. There is always Gambusia not a favored fish, but you cant help from breeding them.

[Leo1234]

I would need a scientific permit to collect any fish in California even if it is nonnative. Here are a list of fish I would want to breed/keep

central stonerollers, the redbelly dace group, creek chubs, fall fish, emerald shiners, striped shiner. I could not get a chiller, so the fish would need to breed in a temperature range of 68-78F. I also would want to keep a northern pikeminnow, but they would be hard to get from what I know.

[mattknepley]

Are you, or a parent and/or teacher type eligible for a scientific collecting permit? I am have no direct fishery credentials, but South Carolina seems content to issue me my scientific collecting permit so long as I sent them the results of my "independent study". Which means I keep track of every collecting outing, whether I catch or keep anything or not, and send them the results on the NANFA collection record sheets available in the Administrivia portion of the website. I don't get the impression California is as indulgent to the average citizen in this regard as South Carolina is, but with a thought out plan, a "sponsor", and a little luck in finding a helpful state employee, you might be able to acquire one. Of course, I am speaking off the cuff here, my knowledge of California is limited... Have no idea the financial liabilities for such a permit in CA either. My goal is really to be encouraging; quite often there is way when there is a will. Not always, for sure, but often.

Failing that, there are many sources for some of those fish you mentioned. Creek Chubs are common here. If you really wanted, and can't find a closer source, I could send you some, probably. Assuming a private Joe is allowed to ship fish to Cali. PM me sometime if you're interested.

[Leo1234]

Failing that, there are many sources for some of those fish you mentioned. Creek Chubs are common here. If you really wanted, and can't find a closer source, I could send you some, probably. Assuming a private Joe is allowed to ship fish to Cali. PM me sometime if you're interested.

a private Joe is allowed to ship fish to Cali.

[gerald]

Most of the shiners and dace I have kept live 3 to 5 years, a few 6 or 7 years.