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Stripeback darter


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#1 MtFallsTodd

MtFallsTodd
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  • Mountain Falls, Virginia

Posted 14 July 2017 - 09:52 AM

Went for a little collecting trip to the James river near Goochland, VA Wednesday and saw large schools of what appear to be Stripeback darters. Caught literally dozens with every pull of a seine net. really nice bright yellow darter. Didn't want to bring any home until I found out more about their captive care needs. Anybody kept this darter and had success? Any help would be greatly appreciated. 


Deep in the hills of Great North Mountain

#2 mattknepley

mattknepley
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  • Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.

Posted 14 July 2017 - 04:57 PM

Nice! If you get pics next time,please post 'em. I haven't ever seen a yellow darter.
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."

#3 gerald

gerald
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  • Wake Forest, North Carolina

Posted 14 July 2017 - 05:22 PM

I have kept similar Chainback darters, but not long-term.  The Chainback, Shield, and Stripeback group are more mid-water swimmers than most darters; eat live and frozen foods but are not likely to train onto dry foods.  Roanoke darters may also be there; females are quite yellow.


Gerald Pottern
-----------------------
Hangin' on the Neuse
"Taxonomy is the diaper used to organize the mess of evolution into discrete packages" - M.Sandel


#4 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
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  • Ohio

Posted 14 July 2017 - 05:38 PM

I have. Drew sent me some years ago. There is nothing worth mentioning as far as care goes if you are familiar with Percina. They are not going to like prepared foods. Down the road they will snack on flake food. Standard Percina. Honestly a bit easier than any Esteoma IMO.


The member formerly known as Skipjack


#5 MtFallsTodd

MtFallsTodd
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  • Mountain Falls, Virginia

Posted 14 July 2017 - 07:23 PM

Thanks guys, didnt take anything to take pictures with. All I have is my phone and I left it at home on purpose!! I did notice they were mid water in really large groups. We caught hundreds of them. Water in the James was a balmy 81 degrees. Really surprised at the number of minnows in the river at that temp. Didnt see any Roanoke darters but a future trip to the Rivanna river is just for them. I wont forget to take pics next time.
Deep in the hills of Great North Mountain

#6 mattknepley

mattknepley
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  • Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.

Posted 15 July 2017 - 08:07 PM

That's a crazy high number of darters! Most darters do seem to be fairly social, the ones I know, but I can't picture schools like that, swimming mid-water no less...
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."

#7 MtFallsTodd

MtFallsTodd
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  • Mountain Falls, Virginia

Posted 15 July 2017 - 10:14 PM

That's a crazy high number of darters! Most darters do seem to be fairly social, the ones I know, but I can't picture schools like that, swimming mid-water no less...


Yep, craziest thing I've ever seen. Thought it was some kind of minnow till we actually had some in a net. Searching the net looking at captive care requirements, I think I'm going to leave them in the river. They don't seem that easy to keep.
Deep in the hills of Great North Mountain

#8 Doug_Dame

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Posted 16 July 2017 - 08:14 PM

Goldstein et al suggest a 10-gal or larger tank with an outside power filter + aeration + 1-2" inches of gravel and sand. (But in the intro section to Percina, a 29gal or larger tank is recommended.) Says rocks are not necessary because stripeback darters don't hide. (I like them already.) Temp 59-68. Chopped earthworm works as a diet. Don't mix populations because there's a couple of subspecies. 


Doug Dame

Floridian now back in Florida
 


#9 MtFallsTodd

MtFallsTodd
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  • Mountain Falls, Virginia

Posted 17 July 2017 - 07:05 AM

Thanks Doug, might have to give them a try.


Deep in the hills of Great North Mountain




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