Thanks Cody !

I am a bit surprised. The picture in my Audubon Field Guide shows a large Golden Shiner perhaps 8 inches long. I never considered what a small Golden Shiner might look like. I got these fish from a small pond about 60' by 60'. I examined this pond closely and did not see any fish much larger than 4 or 5 inches. I suppose it is possible the larger shiners were either hiding near the bottom...or perhaps the big ones were more attractive to predators and thus fewer in number. Rumor has it these fish were originally obtained many years ago from the Connecticut River.

The reason I thought these fish were vegetarian is because I never see them eating bugs. I have seen them grab onto a bug and push it around underwater, sort of like how a cat will play with a mouse.

These fish will readily jump out of the water. Sometimes for no apparent reason.

I have 1 or perhaps 2 Rainbow Trout in my pond. There is no way they could eat enough minnows to affect the population.

I have hundreds of young minnows. This years oldest hatchlings, from June, are now 2" long.

I have much to think about now that I know what species I have. I have a few questions.

1. A large Golden Shiner, 10" long. Will such a fish be big enough to eat a grasshopper if it lands in the water ? Or do I still need Bluegill to feed on the larger surface insects ?

2. Try not to laugh too hard at this question. Is it practical to eat Golden Shiners ? For people I mean. Has anyone tried this ?