Would an experiment where I try to get them to spawn in 20 or 40 gallon aquariums be valuable? Is it easier to get (creek) fish like that to spawn in an aquarium or a pond? If I did get a species to spawn, is there a DNA database for many of the shiners, such that we could identify the EXACT species?
Only a limited number of creek minnow and shiner species will spawn in a pond. I worked with this for about 40 years IMO it would be easier to get them to spawn in a pond compared to an aquarium, providing the aquarium was not mimicking stream conditions. One has to match the spawning condition requirements to the fish species. It is a whole easier to talk about spawning fish in an aquarium than actually doing it.
Numerous native fish can and have been spawned in an aquarium if it adequately mimics natural conditions for that species for spawning. If one wants the species to spawn in an aquarium, then IMO one would FIRST have to know the exact species and its requirements for spawning. Then imitate those conditions as it is done and reported on North American Native Fishes Association.
Adult fish species, but not usually hybrids, can be usually correctly identified to species by using the numerous taxonomic keys available for freshwater fishes of each region. Again easier said than accomplished. Taxonomic keys have their own language and jargon for specific body features.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 10/25/2406:31 PM.
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