We are stocking shiners at work now and debating on a chiller. They are kept around 73 degrees now with pretty frequent deaths. I read they do best between maybe mid 50s to high 60s. What do you guys think the warmest temp that shiners can stand and be healthy? The tanks still cycling so most are being lost to ammonia poisoning imo.
Whats the warmest you can keep shiners?
- Thread starter moespeaking
- Start date
What species of shiner? some can handle higher temps better than others. Adding salt and very high aeration also tends to help keep them happy and fresh when in crowed conditions.
They do need it cool - One or two can acclimate to a tank temp, but if you are stocking them, you definitely want a chiller.
Bait shops DO use chillers.
Bait shops DO use chillers.
The reason bait shops use chillers is:
Cold water lowers the metabolism of the baitfish, therefore lowering their need for oxygen, lowering their need for food, lowering the fishes output of waste products. Also cold water holds more dissolved oxygen. All of these factors allow for a higher stocking density of baitfish.
I can't think of a single shiner that needs a chiller to prosper in an aquarium. An unheated tank should be just fine.
Many cyprinids can be difficult to acclimate to an aquarium. Some are very prone to fin and tail rot. Adding a tablespoon of non Iodized salt to the collection bucket, and to the tank that you keep them in can be very helpful in preventing disease.
Cold water lowers the metabolism of the baitfish, therefore lowering their need for oxygen, lowering their need for food, lowering the fishes output of waste products. Also cold water holds more dissolved oxygen. All of these factors allow for a higher stocking density of baitfish.
I can't think of a single shiner that needs a chiller to prosper in an aquarium. An unheated tank should be just fine.
Many cyprinids can be difficult to acclimate to an aquarium. Some are very prone to fin and tail rot. Adding a tablespoon of non Iodized salt to the collection bucket, and to the tank that you keep them in can be very helpful in preventing disease.