Care
The Red Shiner is widespread throughout the USA and Mexico, where it is found in a variety of habitats from creeks, to small-medium sized rivers, riffles, and silty, rocky pools. This is a peaceful shoaling species, which is best kept in groups of 6 or more. The aquarium should be spacious, mature, and well filtered. Be sure to provide the fish with plenty of hiding places (rocks, bogwood, robust planting) and a decent current from additional powerheads. The higher the temperature of the water, the greater the level of oxygenation that is required. Red Shiners are primarily a mid to top dwelling species, and they would mix well with other fish of similar size and temperament and which enjoy the same fast-flowing conditions. If aiming to keep your shoal of Red Shiners at a mid way point in their preferred temperature range, good tankmates could include some of the torpedo shaped nemacheilid loaches such as Schistura, Nemacheilus, and Mesonoemacheilus which will occupy the lower levels of the aquarium; some of the sub tropical botiid loaches would work well too, e.g. Sinibotia pulchra and Ambastaia nigrolineata; and also Weather loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) would mix well, providing that the tank is large enough to accommodate these inquisitive bottom dwellers, which can attain 20cm (10"). Rhinogobius sp. gobies also make great companions. Although the Red Shiner is generally a peaceable species, long-finned tankmates are best avoided. May also be seen on sale as Rainbow Dace, which could lead to confusion with the Rainbow shiner (Notropis chrosomus).
Feeding
Flake, micro granules, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and vitamin-enriched brineshrimp.
Breeding
Red Shiners are crevice spawners. They have been observed spawning in the home aquarium, but details are limited. 400-600 eggs are released into various gaps in the decor (and sometimes into the gravel), and these take 3-5 days to hatch. The parent fish will eat the eggs so are best moved to another aquarium once spawning has ceased. The fry should be free-swimming after a further week.
