How to Breed Bluenose Shiners

Bluenose shiners are attractive minnows that inhabit well-vegetated streams and backwaters in southeastern North America. The fish exhibit striking colors during spawning, with the male's nose turning a bright shade of blue. The fish are common in aquariums in areas where they are native. Although little is known about the specific breeding habits of this species under natural conditions, aquarium hobbyists have been successful in breeding these freshwater fish by feeding live food, controlling temperature and separating the sexes for a period of time.

Things You'll Need

15-gallon aquarium
Aquarium water testing kit
Gravel
Foxtail
Air stone
Filter
Aquarium heater
Food

Instructions

- 1
  Cover the bottom of a 15-gallon aquarium with a layer of gravel from a stream or river and place foxtail plants in one corner of the aquarium. Fill the tank with clean water that contains no traces of ammonia or nitrate and that has a pH level between 6.4 and 6.7, using test strips to confirm the clarity of the water.
- 2
  Place an air stone in the center of the tank, running the tubing beneath the gravel and up the corner of the aquarium. Place an electric filter and heater in the aquarium, setting the thermostat to just just cooler than 80 degrees.
- 3
  Place 10 to 15 adult bluenose shiners into the aquarium. Feed the fish brine shrimp for eight weeks, and then move the female fish to a separate aquarium, continuing to feed both the males and females shrimp for an additional eight weeks. At the end of this time period, move the female fish back to the main tank and lower the aquarium temperature to 65 degrees. Spawning should occur within the next week.
- 4
  Turn the aquarium filter off after spawning to protect the fish eggs from damage, and move the adult fish to a separate tank. The eggs should hatch in two to four days.
- 5
  Feed newly hatched fry rotifers, infusoria and green water, switching to daphnia and ostracods after two weeks.