Pond Boss
Posted By: BigSteve What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 02:55 PM
I've been catching creek chubs and crayfish in the streams on my property for a few weeks now to relocate above the new dam for the new pond and finally caught something that was neither of these. Being real new at this I have no idea what type of fish it is.

The one in my hand is one of the larger creek chubs I've caught. Much larger than that won't fit through the hole in the trap.

And thoughts on what it might be? I was thinking it's a shiner, but really have no idea.

Attached picture minnow2.jpg
Attached picture minnow1.jpg
Attached picture 4-13-2016 10-23-16 AM.jpg
Posted By: Rainman Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 03:29 PM
looks like some sort of sunfish on the body shape that can be seen....Need a good side picture with fins all splayed.
Posted By: Bill D. Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 03:44 PM
+1 Are those vertical stripes?
Posted By: BigSteve Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 03:53 PM
Yes vertical stripes. I put him back in the little pool we pulled him out of and suspect that I'll catch him again. I'll see if I can gt a better pic next time.
Posted By: catmandoo Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 05:49 PM
The best way to get a photo is to put the fish in glass jar of pond water. From its size, it looks like it would fit well in a quart canning or mayonnaise jar. You will be able to get good clear photos in that small confined space.
Posted By: John Fitzgerald Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 06:30 PM
Looks like a Green Sunfish to me. Not good to put that in a pond.
Posted By: Bill Cody Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 07:02 PM
Best way to photograph it is flat in your hand or in a zip loc bag with only a little water between the fish and the bag. We need a clear picture of it that is not hidden in your hand or inside a trap.

If you want to get serious about identifying the fish in TN you can buy this large, excellent book or download it (78MB) free.
Fishes Of Tennessee Hardcover – 1994
by David A. Etnier (Author), Wayne C. Starnes (Contributor)
http://www.amazon.com/Fishes-Of-Tennessee-David-Etnier/dp/0870497111
Onling Free version
http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_utpress/2/

Common TN angler fish and a few other fish are identified here:
https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/twra/fish/attachments/anglersguide.pdf
Posted By: esshup Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 10:34 PM
I like the Ziploc bag idea!!!!
Posted By: Urmetz Re: What is this minnow? - 04/14/16 11:02 PM
I wouldn't stress too much, the first two pictures look like Bluegills but they may be another sunfish species without better pictures while the third picture does appear to be indeed a creek chub.
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