Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain shinners

I live in south Louisiana and we can buy shinners to fish with just about anywere around here.I'm not sure what kind they are but they come in sizes of 1"to about 3".Does anybody have any idea what they are and would they be good to put in the pond,and would they spawn? Thanks

Pat,

I know in the past, someone has posted a link to help id fish species. Try a search to find it. Second thought would be to post a picture of the shiners you are referring to and I'm sure you'd get a quick id. Third, did you ask the bait shop what species they are??

As for putting them into your pond, my first question would be, what other fish are in your pond? If you've got a species that preys on baitfish, you may be wasting your time and money.

Your last question I will hold for others.

Russ

Texas Parks & Wildlife's Fish ID pages start here.

It's a pretty good info/identification source for lots of species; see the section on Carp and Minnows for a start.

Pat :

Here are 2 sites that are good .

http://www.fishbase.org/search.php?lang=English

EFISH: The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech

www.cnr.vt.edu/efish

On the second site ( which I am having trouble opening right now) look under minnows. ewest

great,I think we are buying blacktail shiners.Does anybody have them in there ponds?My pond is 6 acres and seems to me it would be great bait for the bass to eat.

Blacktail shiners are abundnat in your region. They are most often associated with moving waters (streams, ditches). Very little has been published about their specific spawning requirements. It's a slim chance that they might spawn in ponds with the correct conditions.

I think many shiners sold in the Southeast for crappie bait are common shiners. My little pond is full of them from my wife's grandfather raising them for bait many years ago. When my feeder goes off, the shiners congregate and the bluegill have a feast. No bass yet. Putting them in soon.