Notropis Chrosomus ( Rainbow Shiner)

[AquariumHabit]

Hello, quick question: Should Rainbow Shiner's be kept in their own tank (species only)? I really like the look of them and was thinking of adding them to my 180 gallon with Geophagus Tapajos. I currently have 12 Black Neons that they do not bother with. Thoughts?

thanks.

 

[tlindsey]

Hello, quick question: Should Rainbow Shiner's be kept in their own tank (species only)? I really like the look of them and was thinking of adding them to my 180 gallon with Geophagus Tapajos. I currently have 12 Black Neons that they do not bother with. Thoughts?

thanks.

My biggest concern is can the Rainbow Shiners thrive in warm water. Also will suggest quarantine for the Rainbow Shiners before adding to the aquarium.

 

[AquariumHabit]

My biggest concern is can the Rainbow Shiners thrive in warm water. Also will suggest quarantine for the Rainbow Shiners before adding to the aquarium.

Valid point, during winter my water is 78F , during summer 80F.

 

[twentyleagues]

Those are really cool fish! I have the same problem though. Seems high temps on these guys for any length of time is mid 70s. I currently heat my entire fish room so its like 78 all the time, tank temps seem to hover at 74 to 76. Which wouldnt be terrible but they need cool off time and extended lengths of mid 70s isnt good in the long term. I was going to set up a cool water river tank but itd have to go in the basement. Maybe one day, currently 1 room full of fishtanks is enough.

 

[tlindsey]

I personally like Rainbow Darters and ordered a few about 2 years ago the last one died around 3 months ago. Kept them in a unheated 20 long in the family room.. Unfortunately the Air Conditioner went bad and the Darters could not tolerate the upper 70° temperature. So I decided to put a group of Rosy Red Minnows in the aquarium lol. If I decide to do Darters again I will setup aquarium in the basement for them.

 

[duanes]

I always kept these temperate water species in an unheated tanks, or kiddy pools in the basement, to the point of moving Gymnogeophagus and other Uruguayan cichlids there in winter.
Winter cool downs are very important for their long term health.
When I tried to keep Gymnos at year round tropical temps, (and I would assume this would be the case for any north, or southern South American species), they seemed prone to fungal and other infections, and usually died way too early.
Colors were also not great, until after cool downs.

 

[AquariumHabit]

Thanks, so I think I wont go with them due to the tempature difference, unless I set up a new tank just for them. Any recomendations for some nice colourful options to add to the 180g? I already had Bosemani Rainbows and Congos Tetras in the past.