Found this in the minnows...
- Thread starter paul112
- Start date
Yeah, it's a pretty good match Guppy, but this is one of a few hundred minnows that i've hooked that caught my eye. The usual minnow around here have a black bar running through the length of their body, whilst this one has green and olice tiger tripes on it's top. Your right aswell, the fish is about 4", and seeing as it's in breeding condition, it must be adult. Just a few questions though:
1. Could it have cross-bred with another fish species? The circular from fins are unlike any minnow i have ever caught.
2.How long do males remain in breeding condition, and will they mate with ANY female? I'm thinking of getting an egg bearing female to breed him with, but I need to know if he will.
Paul
1. Could it have cross-bred with another fish species? The circular from fins are unlike any minnow i have ever caught.
2.How long do males remain in breeding condition, and will they mate with ANY female? I'm thinking of getting an egg bearing female to breed him with, but I need to know if he will.
Paul
I don't know the spawning season or habits other than they migrate short distances to gravelly riffles to spawn, I don't think there are any fish closely related in the UK so crossbreeding is unlikely, Other minnows in your area are immature bleak, chub, and dace mainly but there are also widespread populations of the introduced Pseudorasbora parva (first pic).
Also, there are several color varients ranging from almost no markings, solid stripe, and the tiger striping. Here are examples.
Also, there are several color varients ranging from almost no markings, solid stripe, and the tiger striping. Here are examples.
Guppy, you are a legendary fish hobbyist 
Now, if only you can tell me about the tank setup for this guy...
Paul
Now, if only you can tell me about the tank setup for this guy...
Paul
I would try and collect some native aquatic plants, and use gravel w/ larger rocks mixed in. Also, since you caught it in a stream, create a current w/ a powerhead.
Unheated tank, match local temp and pH if possible, and do as Fisher12889 suggests, gravel, a few rocks, blackmoss from the creek if you have it there (great for creek fish), lots of circulation (put inflow and out flow at opposite ends of tank and a small power head). Try flake food but also small inverts.
Found a little more on them, they will live in still water but not breed there, They breed much like danios (between April-July in the UK), laying scattered drifts of small amber eggs in flowing water among gravel, the eggs stick to the gravel, they are not guarders. Eggs are laid at a water temp from mid 50s F to mid 60s F. At 60 degrees F they hatch in 14-17 days.
Adults sometimes eat eggs and will eat fry. They also eat other small fish, inverts, and a little algae and other aquatic plants, the fry need infusoria at the start.
They live 5-6 years.
Found a little more on them, they will live in still water but not breed there, They breed much like danios (between April-July in the UK), laying scattered drifts of small amber eggs in flowing water among gravel, the eggs stick to the gravel, they are not guarders. Eggs are laid at a water temp from mid 50s F to mid 60s F. At 60 degrees F they hatch in 14-17 days.
Adults sometimes eat eggs and will eat fry. They also eat other small fish, inverts, and a little algae and other aquatic plants, the fry need infusoria at the start.
They live 5-6 years.
