AMAZONAS
keeping them in the aquarium at temperatures between
64.4 and 80.6°F (18–27°C) works well. Many believe
that a winter phase, during which the water temperature
is lower, is a prerequisite for successful reproduction, but
I have not found this to be true.
Care in the aquarium
I recommend using an elongated medium-sized aquar-
ium, well filtered and with good flow. I suggest a tank
holding around 50 gallons (200 L) for a group of 20–30
animals. However, if you provide a strong current, you
can get away with a smaller tank. In order to ensure
adequate circulation, in addition to reliable air-driven
foam filters, you can use powerful canister filters and
flow pumps. There should be a good supply of oxygen and
frequent, generous water changes.
If you keep these schooling fishes in larger groups in a
big tank with good flow, it will be especially obvious that
Rainbow Shiners are perfectly adapted to flowing waters.
Notropis swim like small trout, in squads against the
current. The more robust, high-backed C. lutrensis prefer
somewhat calmer water, but it should still be moving.
Keeping these fishes in larger groups also reduces their
nervousness; they find security in numbers.
Water parameters are not crucial in the care and
rearing of either species. Water that is unpolluted, not too
hard (up to 400 μS), and neutral to slightly alkaline (pH
7–8) has proved suitable for the care and reproduction
of my animals. Shiners can also be combined with other
riverine fishes from cooler habitats. In my tanks, their
tankmates are the Hillstream loaches of the genus Sewel-
lia, which also reproduce well in the shiner tank. TheseMale Rainbow Shiners,
Notropis chrosomus (red
variant), over a rubble bed that
acts as a spawning trap.A male Red Shiner, Cyprinella
lutrensis, in courtship colors.
During the breeding season, many
male cyprinids sport greenish
spawning tubercles on their heads.