I've been researching these fish since having posted about them a couple days ago. It sounds like keeping them in captivity is quite doable. They only grow to 10" max and 5"-7" is the norm. Diet is easily replicated with trout meal, however, I'm sure a more natural diet would be more appropriate for bringing out the spectacular colors.
The 2 biggest barriers are water temp and actually getting them.
The temp is not as difficult to accomplish as you might think. Summer temps typically max out at around 55 degrees. A 1/2 horse chiller on a well insulated tank could easily pull down to 55 and even colder. A bit pricey but certainly not completely prohibitive.
Acquiring the fish... this is the goocher. Nowhere can I find anything related to getting these fish, even for research purposes. From what I can tell, even the specimens bred in "captivity" for stocking streams and lakes are bred in large ponds in the high Sierras. There is not an indoor type facility or set up of race ways such as what is seen with other game fishes programs. This may end up being another unattainable dream.
The 2 biggest barriers are water temp and actually getting them.
The temp is not as difficult to accomplish as you might think. Summer temps typically max out at around 55 degrees. A 1/2 horse chiller on a well insulated tank could easily pull down to 55 and even colder. A bit pricey but certainly not completely prohibitive.
Acquiring the fish... this is the goocher. Nowhere can I find anything related to getting these fish, even for research purposes. From what I can tell, even the specimens bred in "captivity" for stocking streams and lakes are bred in large ponds in the high Sierras. There is not an indoor type facility or set up of race ways such as what is seen with other game fishes programs. This may end up being another unattainable dream.
