Darter Sex Ratio.

Sort of split from the "male rainbow" thread.
Any idea of an optimal(or at least, workable) ratio of male-female for rainbows? As it stands...I am now pretty sure I have 4(perhaps 5) males and and 8(perhaps 7) females. One single fish is still "on the fence" as far as an ID, but at the moment, I lean toward the 4 and 8 numbers, for a 2 to 1 ratio of female to males.
Is this a workable number? My tank is a 40 long with tons of rock work, driftwood, and plants(on the jungle end)...so hidey holes do not seem to be an issue. So far I've seen literally no aggression..but just thinking of down the road.

Sort of split from the "male rainbow" thread.
Any idea of an optimal(or at least, workable) ratio of male-female for rainbows? As it stands...I am now pretty sure I have 4(perhaps 5) males and and 8(perhaps 7) females. One single fish is still "on the fence" as far as an ID, but at the moment, I lean toward the 4 and 8 numbers, for a 2 to 1 ratio of female to males.
Is this a workable number? My tank is a 40 long with tons of rock work, driftwood, and plants(on the jungle end)...so hidey holes do not seem to be an issue. So far I've seen literally no aggression..but just thinking of down the road.

That's a great ratio, I've kept Rainbow Darters at the same ratio quite successfully many years.

That darter gender ratio will be great; especially if you would like them to breed. That being said, I have never had problems with a more male heavy ratio as long as they have plenty of places to hide. Natural rocks and such make a very esthecially pleasing tank, but I find that broken pieces of unglazed flower pots work really well. They are lighter and take up less space than real rocks, and they offer good hiding places that still let you see the fish. Plus they are porous and seem to hold beneficial bacteria up in the circulating water. So, just create as many hiding places as you can. Darters love them, some need them to breed (not rainbows though), and they really show off their natural behavior.

jahintze

Thanks.
I don't know about breeding, as I won't be able to take the tank to the really cool levels I think are needed to trigger the spawn(its in my apartment, and I cannot really afford a chiller). I do let the temp go down to the mid 60's for the winter though...so maybe with a warm up to the mid 70's that could be enough...we'll see I guess.
Even if they did, I have no illusions of raising any fry. Along with the bakers dozen darters, are 6 very healthy(and bold) central mud minnows, and a dozen blacknose shiners. I may also add some dwarf sunnies or orangspots or something down the road. The tank at the moment is split about 70/30 ratio of rock work bottom to driftwood/heavily planted section. The muddies love the planted area, and the wood(covered in java moss) but also seem to like to explore the rocks. the shiners pretty much dont care as long as they get fed, and the darters obviously prefer the rock area..but a couple do spend a suprisig ammount of time in the planted section! Current is heavy from two hang on filters in the rock areas, and the driftwood is used to form a bit of a barrier to keep it down a bit for the plants. So far..this design is working out great.