I can probably send you some in a few weeks. Maybe a trade for a cool darter from out your way.....

The NC Museum of Nat Sci in Raleigh has a tank of mountain redbelly dace that stay in color pretty much year-round, kept around low 70s with a chiller. Lots of good food is probably key. Mine at home (no chiller) lose most of their color when temp exceeds 75, but they stay healthy even in low 80s. BTW, redbelly dace love peas!

I help maintain the exhibit Gerald describes. At the moment it mainly houses Mountain Redbelly Dace, Warpaint Shiners, and Rosyside Dace. The Warpaints maintain their color year-round. The Rosysides also stay in color and tuberculated with a few exceptions, and the Mountain Redbellies are split down the middle with about half being in full color at a given moment. We generally keep the water below 65*F and thoroughly aerated.

I help maintain the exhibit Gerald describes. At the moment it mainly houses Mountain Redbelly Dace, Warpaint Shiners, and Rosyside Dace. The Warpaints maintain their color year-round. The Rosysides also stay in color and tuberculated with a few exceptions, and the Mountain Redbellies are split down the middle with about half being in full color at a given moment. We generally keep the water below 65*F and thoroughly aerated.

i just wanted to update people. my MRBD that i caught last sept have fully kept their color...they faded for about an hour last weekend when i re-homed them to a different tank. besides that i must say these guys are beautiful