"Dither fish" for gar/oddball tank?

[screaminleeman]

Blue or Golden Orfe (24" - 36") should also provide for dithers without presenting any damage to the tanks residents.

Relatively inexpensive, and would also provide a food source for the predators.

Golden Shiners are also awesome dithers that get 9" and won't damage the predators in the tank.

I pay less than 10 cents apiece for them, they look fabulous, and they are nutritious when they are picked off.

1,000 shiners 4" - 5" cost $90 from Andersons Minnow Farm.

I have stocked tens of thousands into my farm pond and all of my predatory aquariums, and have never had any issue other than them getting eaten (which really isn't an issue IMO). They were "feeders" when they get eaten, and good looking inexpensive dither tankmates up until then.

 

[Chub_by]

I would not recommend orfe.. They get spooked easily which will make them jump, and disturb the other fish. Also you will need a large group and a group of 5+ , 2' fast-swimming fish wont work in a 1000 gal.

 

[MonsterMinis]

I like the shiner idea... i was wondering if there where any "bait fish" that would be better then just goldfish. The pool is kept at 76 so i'll do abit of research to see how they tolerate that warmer water.

 

[screaminleeman]

I like the shiner idea... i was wondering if there where any "bait fish" that would be better then just goldfish. The pool is kept at 76 so i'll do abit of research to see how they tolerate that warmer water.

Golden Shiners have survived for me at up to 78 degrees. They did not tolerate 80 degrees in my RBP tank and all died within the hour.

There are also hybrid bait fish that have been adapted to be able to tolerate full offshore ocean salinity, and also 100% freshwater.

They are also available on the site: www.andersonminnows.com and I believe that they are called "Salty's".

They offer like 4 sizes of fathead minnows, and like six sizes of the golden shiners or Salty's all the way up to breeder sizes.

 

[sbuse]

I would avoid fatheads. I had some chew a hole in the side of one of my fish. Shinners are good.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[MonsterMinis]

that's nasty.. but good to know scott.. looking at everyone I think the pool is pretty full... def need to mull things over abit.. so anymore ideas keep 'em coming!