AMAZONAS
THE RED SHINER, CYPRINELLA LUTRENSIS (Robins et al. 1991),
is a robust, deep-bodied fish, sometimes dubbed the Rain-
bow Dace or Red Horseminnow, that grows up to about 4
inches (10 cm) long. Red Shiners have been transplanted
by fishermen in the southern United States as baitfish,
and they can now be found from the Mississippi River
basin to northern Mexico. They populate a wide range of
waters, from flowing streams to standing ponds and lakes
(Matthews 1987, Richardson & Gold 1995).
The considerably slimmer Rainbow Shiner, whose
maximum size is 2.4–3 inches (6–8 cm), populates a
much smaller distribution area and is found mainly in
the Mobile and Alabama Rivers in Alabama and Geor-
gia, where it prefers clear, oxygen-rich water (Johnston
& Kleiner 1994). In the United States, the term “shin-
ers” refers to mainly small cyprinids from the genus
Notropis and related genera (Cyprinella, Notemigonus,
Pteronotropis, and others). I like this name for these
marvelous minnows.Equally suitable for aquarium and pond
Both Notropis chrosomus and Cyprinella lutrensis have
been imported commercially as aquarium and pondfishes in Europe, where they are more appreciated and
more often kept than in the States. Notropis chrosomus
used to be very pricey but is now affordable, thanks to
intensive breeding efforts, including in Indonesia, and
widely available for aquariums and garden ponds. Two
variants of N. chrosomus are known. One is somewhat
larger (2.8–3 inches/7–8 cm) and has a higher propor-
tion of blue, while the smaller one (2–2.4 inches/5–6
cm) is a brilliant scarlet. It seems that the red variant
has prevailed, and most of the animals offered for sale in
Europe are this type.
Many shiners come from habitats that are subject to
widely fluctuating water temperatures over the course of
the year, which is why they are able to withstand cold
temperatures and can be kept year-round in an appropri-
ately sized garden pond. However, they can also be kept
and propagated at room temperature in an aquarium all
year round. The water temperatures in the aquarium,
which tend to be higher than those in a natural pond, are
tolerated well by these fishes, but in my experience with
N. chrosomus and C. lutrensis, aquarium specimens don’t
live as long as those kept cool at least some of the time.
As my N. chrosomus have proved over five generations,Of Red and Rainbow Shiners
HUSBANDRY & BREEDING
article & images by Frank Strozyk • Who says beautiful and colorful fishes only come from
tropical places? Fantastic shiners found in the United States certainly dispel that notion. They
also have really captivating behaviors.A blue variant of Notropis chrosomus,
the American Rainbow Shiner.