Here's a little known factoid about commercial shiner production.
Most golden shiners raised commercially come from central Arkansas.
Back in the early 80's I was at one of those fish farms, talking with the production manager. I was asking about production methods, using husked spanish moss mats for shiners to lay eggs, and moving eggs vs. leaving them to hatch, that sort of talk. I asked him what size shiners they use for broodfish. He casually mentioned they change broodfish every year, so their broodfish are only a year old. I asked why. He told me that after their second year of reproduction, female golden shiners have an ovarian parasite that renders her sterile. So, two year old shiners must be sold.
Now, that was dang near 20 years ago, and I haven't asked the question since. But, late in 1981 I found a flyer from one of the agencies that explained the parasite, and how to manage around it.
So, don't automatically assume your shiners aren't surviving because bass eat them, or they don't have a place to spawn. There may be another reason.
I looked for that pamphlet, but it's gone. I probably used it back then, when times were tight. The paper was absorbent.
