5 replies to this topic

[peachcobbler]

I've got a 30 gallon container pond this summer, with a filter and quite a few plants doing well so far. I was originally going to stock it with white cloud minnows, but I've recently learned about native North American species and am intrigued. It's been a little difficult to find much info about keeping some of these fish, however, so I would love any help as I continue to research like mad in the meantime.

 

Golden topminnows: do they play nice? Can they tolerate a cold water set up without a heater? How many would do well in a 30 gallon habitat?

 

Would a species-only school of rainbow shiner do well? How many? Are they peaceful?

 

Aside from them, would anyone be able to recommend another somewhat easy to find online native that would be happy in a setup like this, and numbers of individuals I could keep? Maybe another sort of killi? I'll gladly do one species-only if a larger school will mean happier fish.

 

Thank you!! (and, I should add that I plan on taking all inhabitants inside for the winter as ours get a little rough).

Edited by peachcobbler, 11 May 2018 - 03:08 PM.

[littlen]

What part of the country are you from? Thatll help the pond keepers answer what will work best in your area (state).

[Michael Wolfe]

Topminnows are not always nice to each other.
Rainbow shiners could do well. Maybe a dozen.
Not sure about your location, but a group of Cyprinella shiners would also do well. Maybe 6-8.

[mattknepley]

I agree with Michael about topminnows not always being nice to each other, but a single Golden or starhead type would look intriguing from the surface. I have had good luck with Greenfin Shiners in a pond, but they can be bullies, too. In a school the size Michael mentions, especially with places to get away to, they could work. I think I myself would be inclined to stock it with a couple Blackbanded Sunfish. They get quite tame, and I've even had some come to the surface to greet me and beg for food, which they'd take from my fingers.

[NotCousteau]

Banded killifish
Sticklebacks
Central Mudminnows

[Michael Wolfe]

I agree with Michael about topminnows not always being nice to each other, but a single Golden or starhead type would look intriguing from the surface. I have had good luck with Greenfin Shiners in a pond, but they can be bullies, too. In a school the size Michael mentions, especially with places to get away to, they could work. I think I myself would be inclined to stock it with a couple Blackbanded Sunfish. They get quite tame, and I've even had some come to the surface to greet me and beg for food, which they'd take from my fingers.

 

Bannerfin Shiners (C.leedsi) actually bred in my 100 gallon stock tank that one year... that was something to see...