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Longnosed Dace make bad pets?


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#1 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 09:31 PM

What's everyone's opinion on longnosed dace as pets? I have had 2 jump out of the tank swimming against the filter outlet. I know this is a natural behavior as they swim against the current and jump up riffles in the wild.

With so many other options for dace (redside, mountain redbelly, etc.) out there maybe they aren't the best choice. Appearance wise I love them, but my current tank has two and I see the urge in them to make the jump. Going to try to prevent it but thinking there are other not so aggressive jumpers to choose from should they just be avoided?

Opinions?

#2 Guest_Newt_*

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 09:53 PM

I consider all minnows "flight" risks. Just do what it takes to make your top secure and you can keep any cyprinid without fear.

#3 Guest_NateTessler13_*

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 10:27 PM

...With so many other options for dace (redside, mountain redbelly, etc.) out there maybe they aren't the best choice...
Opinions?


Redside Dace are fantastic jumpers. I'd bet Mountain Redbelly can go air borne without a problem. I agree with Newt...just block their escape route and you'll be a fine dace keeper.

#4 Guest_bart_*

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 10:27 PM

Yeah, do what he said.

I like cross stitch mess to cover up tiny holes around hob filters. I have seen my BND ping off it many a time. I have made it so minnows can not physically fit out of any holes in the top of the tank. BE RESPONSIBLE AND COVER ALL HOLES ON THE TOPS OF YOUR TANKS IF YOU PLAN TO KEEP ANY DACE! I love longnose dace as a tank species. Never had one jump or seen them jump but they do seem to require a very lengthy acclimation time to tank life. After that...Instant mini sturgeon!

#5 Guest_UncleWillie_*

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 10:29 PM

Like Nathan said, you are going to have that issue with many minnows. But the main thing I wanted to comment on was your mention of 'swimming against the current' in you tank.
I have had similar issues with blacknose dace in tanks with 'current' only being the filter outputs. i have had significantly less leapers in tanks with less top coverage by introducing a powerhead.

Meaning, in a large tank, with little current, the dace found the tiniest of gaps in the glass top and leap out.
While in an 20 long with a powerhead and powerfilter, the dace tended to stay near the bottom (where the powerhead was positioned) and leap out less. This tank had no cover, just a piece of scrap knitting mesh over the corners.

Maybe the introduction of a powerhead is something to consider.

#6 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 11:55 PM

Will beat me to it.
What he said.

#7 Guest_FirstChAoS_*

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 12:03 AM

Dace and Chubs tend to jump when scared, but in a few months I find most lose the jump urge under normal conditions. My longnose haven't jumped in months.

I find blacknose dace and fallfish also jump. Blacknose in my opinion are the worst for jumping, the flicking of a light would set them off. NOTE: if you see one of those realistic looking plastic minnowlike fishing lures on the ground by your dace tank it likely ISN'T a lure. (that happened to me, what is this lure doing here? ewww, that's a dead fish)

My poor mountain redbellies never did jump in the few months before the algicide got them.

#8 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 12:30 AM

I just put a powerhead/pump in the tank. Good idea because it helps nutrients move around the tank for the plants as well. The 2 dace I have in there are enjoying it already and the darters activity level shot way up. Amazing what a difference a small change makes. It's only been a half hour or so and I've seen the darters more in that amount of time than I have all week.

#9 Guest_UncleWillie_*

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 01:46 PM

Haha. Sorry, Mike. By the time I finished typing, two people had already posted before I submitted.

lozgod - glad to see that so far it is working. It is know doubt nicer to watch darters, dace and other minnows in a tank with current more like their natural habitat than in a slackwater tank. Good luck.

#10 Guest_logan_*

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Posted 30 January 2010 - 11:18 PM

Get a fishtank top and maybe lower the water level. Good luck!

#11 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 01 February 2010 - 03:28 AM

Added a powerhead and an airwand and upped to a bigger pump I had lying around. Now they swim verically against the current of the air wand. Problem solved and they really seem to enjoy it. Win/win.

#12 Guest_bulrush_*

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Posted 15 June 2010 - 07:07 AM

Get a fishtank top and maybe lower the water level. Good luck!

I think the OP does have a top, but where the filter pours water back into the tank, there is a hole in the top, and that is where his fish is jumping out. He should cover that hole somehow, like with screen door mesh, or mesh found at a hobby store (stiffer than screen door mesh).

#13 Guest_gzeiger_*

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Posted 15 June 2010 - 09:34 AM

Or use a sponge filter. Those are fantastic. The fish obviously like the current, so maybe a powerhead would be good, placed below the surface so they don't jump so muc.



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