It sure will be interesting to hear what others have to say about this, especially with thoughts on how the BG will be controlled, if they need to be in your area.
I have read on here a few times that if you want to keep the BG under better control, don't put in habitat that they can hide in. So, you will want to reasearch that before you throw in a bunch of plants, etc.
The suppliers must think that the shiner won't make it over the long term if they are advising you to add BG to feed the perch. Sure hope that it wasn't a ploy to just sell you more fish. Pics of that "shiner" would help others here guide you more...
