Rainbow darter aquarium

I've been into tropical fish for a while, and I've just started reading about natives over the last few days. I really like rainbow darters and I'm considering setting up a tank for some in the future.

I've read that a 10 or 15 gallon would be sufficient for them, is this correct? Also, if I wanted to set up a biotope tank, what are some species that could share a tank of that size, and that would be found in the same habitat as the darters?

Also, just to get me excited, what are your favorite things about keeping darters?

Thanks!

you could get you a couple of shiners, so many kinds, I am wanting some Southern Red Belly Dace for my aquarium to go with my darters. Tank is kinda small, wouldnt overstock it too much. The best part about darters is the catch. You never know what you are going to pull out under a rock, and the first site of a fully colored rainbow or orangethroat is quite spectacular. Good Luck, and oh yeah, people are always interested in where you are from to see what might be available for collecting in your area

I've been into tropical fish for a while, and I've just started reading about natives over the last few days. I really like rainbow darters and I'm considering setting up a tank for some in the future.

I've read that a 10 or 15 gallon would be sufficient for them, is this correct? Also, if I wanted to set up a biotope tank, what are some species that could share a tank of that size, and that would be found in the same habitat as the darters?

Also, just to get me excited, what are your favorite things about keeping darters?

Thanks!

I'd go with the 15 minimum if you want other fish as well, or even a twenty long would be better. But with the 15 g you could have a couple pair of rainbow darters, a trio of fantails, a trio of blacknose dace and a trio of longnose dace. Make it a stream tank and the fish will love it and so will you. The darters are the puppies of the fish world they quickly become tame and recognise the person that feeds them and are often looking out watching you. In a tank with a decent flow it's really fun to watch them feed beating their prey by using the flow to their advantage. Depending on your location or willingness to buy they also offer a great variety of colors. Redlines, snubnose, bluebreast, bandeds, orangethroats the list of small colorful darters is seemingly endless. You may want to go with a bigger tank The dace are active easy to care for fish and fun to watch, longnose have always been one of my favorites. If you go to a bigger tank with some sand in the substrate you can add a northern hogsucker, some central stonerollers and more darters like a few small logperch.

Edited by keepnatives, 20 March 2009 - 06:25 PM.

Most of the shiners/chubs/dace native to the Ohio and Tennessee drainages would work with rainbow darters, with the notable exception of creek chubs (too aggressive, too predatory). And I'd advise going with the 15 rather than a 10 gal. to give any shiners room to move because they're active. And the best thing about darters? Definitely catching them from a highland clearwater stream. For at least a moment you can feel all's right with the world.

Most of the shiners/chubs/dace native to the Ohio and Tennessee drainages would work with rainbow darters, with the notable exception of creek chubs (too aggressive, too predatory). And I'd advise going with the 15 rather than a 10 gal. to give any shiners room to move because they're active. And the best thing about darters? Definitely catching them from a highland clearwater stream. For at least a moment you can feel all's right with the world.

i second that creek chubs are to aggressive,as are male striped shiners.

Sounds like it might be better to go with a 20 gallon or larger...

Keepnatives, I like your idea of a stream tank. In my Indian tank, I love watching my wrestling halfbeaks use the current to catch their prey.

However, I am running into a problem. I live in coastal Central California, and (correct me if I'm wrong) it looks like we don't have any darters out here. Are they available to purchase online or elsewhere?

Rainbow darters have tons of personality. When I watch mine, they are watching me right back!

I agree with everyone else-get a bigger tank if you can. If you stick with a ten gallon, you could put in a couple of male rainbow darters and a couple of mudminnows. Central or eastern, either would be fine. They aren't pretty in a flashy way like dace, but they have a lot of personality, and they would be happier than shiners or dace in a small tank. An alternative to the mudminnows is a pair of the smaller sunfish like bluespotteds.

However, I am running into a problem. I live in coastal Central California, and (correct me if I'm wrong) it looks like we don't have any darters out here. Are they available to purchase online or elsewhere?

Nope, there aren't any darters west of Texas. Check the Vendors section on the Forum, some darters are usually available, and rainbows are certainly a common, widespread species.

Wonderful! I actually have a 37 gallon complete set-up in storage that I can haul out if they'd like that better.

EarthIntruder,

Welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy your time with us and find all of the info that you are looking for! I don't know if you checked out the vendor's section of the forum already, but I am one of the vendors and I sell Rainbow Darters. You can check out my website for prices and photos at: http://www.btdarters.com.

As far as inhabitants with Rainbow Darters go, I'd have to second everyone's suggestions to add a few peaceful minnows. I'd also have to suggest that you add a few Blackstripe Topminnows (Fundulus notatus) to inhabit the top-water area of the tank. The Blackstripes are peaceful and add some interest to that often-overlooked area of the tank.

Again, welcome to the forum!

Brian

Rainbows are a good one to start with. Pleasant disposition, very curious, fairly hardy. schambers said it only too well, when I look at them, they look back. Hey, where's dinner?

I would suggest doubling the amount of power filtration you would normally have on the tank. Darters love moving water.

Mine love frozen bloodworms, devour all they can get. I will toss in some scuds or creek snails on occasion, to liven things up a bit.