7 replies to this topic

[Kazonak]

Hey! So, I'm a newbie to Michigan, from SC. I'mm looking to get together and catch some darters/minnows/sticklebacks over the summer while I'm here! So If anyone interested...

 

Also, I'm wanting to stock a 15 gallon deep with some natives so yeah. I know I want to collect rainbow darters (as far as darters go, I try to keep my aquarium species cast simple), brook sticklebacks, and maybe a few silversides, but I'm still teetering on what mid-water dweller I'd like. Color is nice, but I don't know what colors up around here. Nonetheless schooling and docile and the bigger trails I'm looking for. Some sort of small, minnow that school well. There's a few on FishBase for my area, but I'm not familiar with any of their behaviors. I'd like some input. Also, if y'all are interested I could post some pics of the tank later (I got to get to a pre-mother's day party upstairs... lol).

[keepnatives]

Redfin shiners would fit the bill well, rosy face shiners and possibly northern redbelly dace though I've never had success keeping their colors in an aquarium, if you could they are quite colorful. southern redbelly do nicely but are protected in Michigan I believe.  Spotfins are nice but a bit rambunctious for a 15 gallon community tank I think.

 

The sticklebacks will be nippers might want to try something else maybe some silver jaw minnows which stay towards the bottom and do best with some sand.  And brook silversides can be difficult and tend to jump and dash into the glass but are worth trying.

[Kazonak]

Yeah, I've had some troubles with Silversides before... They've always been a bit delicate for me, and jumpy. But the greeny-yellow color, alongside their unique shape is really interesting, also their top dwelling behavior is a plus. 

 

I have another question though. Do redfins nip at plants? I'm wanting to put in a bit of greenery, because I've had a few planted tanks before. I have no experience with them. I've kept greenheads and yellowfins with a heavily planted tank before with no issues, so I wasn't too worried. Still though... Oh also I live near the south-eastern corner if michigan just south of st. joseph and a little in land, I didn't see the redfins in my close area on fishmaps... Not super close by anyway, a bit of a drive isn't that bad though I guess.

 

Are there any small docile minnows in the area? Colorful or no? or ones that I could potentially get to color up? Color isn't my first concern though, I do like watching their behavior.

Edited by Kazonak, 13 May 2017 - 06:04 PM.

[mattknepley]

Hey buddy, long time no hear! I was wondering about you just the other day. There are Michiganders up there who are active, but don't know any too close to Berrien Springs. You might actually be closer to some folks in Indiana. Just a guess, though. I see your college locale is Chattanooga. There are a couple mildly active members that way you might be able to get together with, too.

I hope you find troll waters (you live below the bridge now)as inspiring as you did Carolina waters. Don't over look that big puddle to your west, the Great Lakes are some kind of gift to have so close.

Tell your Dad I say Hi and wish your Mom a Happy Mother's Day from me and my girls.

[Michael Wolfe]

 

The sticklebacks will be nippers might want to try something else maybe some silver jaw minnows which stay towards the bottom and do best with some sand.  And brook silversides can be difficult and tend to jump and dash into the glass but are worth trying.

 

Agree with Mike and want to give silver jaws minnows a strong recommendation... they are not colorful, but a very cool fish.

 

But the greeny-yellow color, alongside their unique shape is really interesting, also their top dwelling behavior is a plus. 

 

Are there any small docile minnows in the area? Colorful or no? or ones that I could potentially get to color up? Color isn't my first concern though, I do like watching their behavior.

 

You should know that the silversides up there will likely not be the cool yellow green of ours down here... they have recently been recognized as a different species based in part on the color difference.

 

I'm gonna say silver jaw minnows again for no color, but cool behavior.

[Kazonak]

Thanks Guys! I'll definitely keep my eyes open for the silver jaws!

 

Kinda strange though, I went out yesterday to a stream that my dad knew about up here, around 7:30. We didn't see anything, like not, not much, but literally nothing. Not a single thing in the water. We even stood on a bridge with a 1200+ lumen flashlight and didn't see even so much as a shadow... I though it was a little weird. The stream was crystal clear and flowing in a well-vegetated forest; however, there was a bit of agricultural development in the area so I though fertilizers and other related chemicals may have run off into the stream and driven the fish away.

[Michael Wolfe]

I know sometimes you see nothing, lots of times the fish are there anyway... you'd be surprised what you might stir up with a seine out there.

 

Oh, and y the way... if you cursor way down on this page, you can see the email of your regional (state) representative... and maybe some others nearby depending where in your state you live.  http://www.nanfa.org/regional.shtml

[keepnatives]

The shiners and dace won't bother the plants at all. Fathead minnows are cool in a tank males get quite interesting though not "colorful" Longnose dace are favorites of mine.