How to Breed a Bluenose Shiner

Bluenose shiners are attractive minnows that inhabit well-vegetated streams and backwaters in North America. Male fish possess elongated pelvic, dorsal and anal fins and exhibit striking colors during spawning. Although little is known about the breeding habits of this species under natural conditions, aquarists are able to spawn these interesting freshwater fish by feeding live food and separating the sexes for a period

Things You'll Need

  • 15-gallon aquarium
  • Aquarium stand
  • Natural aquarium gravel
  • Foxtail plants
  • Air stone
  • 0.75-inch diameter air line
  • Vibrator pump
  • Aquarium heater
  • PH test kit
  • PH booster
  • Adult brine shrimps
  • Daphnia
  • Aquarium clamp
  • Sponge filter
  • Rotifers
  • Infusoria
  • 2-gallon plastic bucket
  • Lettuce leaves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 15-gallon tank on to an aquarium stand. Make sure that the floor is level. The aquarium should not stand in a draft or near a window that receives full sun as this will result in the growth of unwanted algae.

    • 2

      Cover the bottom of the aquarium with course gravel from a stream or river.

    • 3

      Plant eight to ten foxtail plants in one corner or along the back of the aquarium. Leave the middle area of the aquarium open for swimming space.

    • 4

      Push one end of a 0.75-inch diameter air line over the nipple of an air stone and place the air stone in the middle of the aquarium. Attach the opposite end of the air line to a small vibrator pump. Place the pump higher than the water level to prevent aquarium water from draining out through the pump during a power outage.

    • 5

      Position a hang-on filter on to the aquarium.

    • 6

      Set the thermostat on an aquarium heater to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and place inside the aquarium.

    • 7

      Use a pH test kit to test the water and use a commercial pH booster to adjust the pH to between 6.4 and 0.7.

    • 8

      Place between 10 and 15 adult bluenose shiners into the aquarium.

    • 9

      Feed adult brine shrimps and daphnia to condition these fish for spawning.

    • 10

      Adjust the water temperature to 65 degrees Fahrenheit after eight weeks of conditioning the fish.

    • 11

      Remove the female fish to a separate aquarium and continue to feed both them and the male fish on live food.

    • 12

      Return the female fish to the breeding aquarium after another eight weeks.

    • 13

      Place a plastic aquarium clamp on to the air line and tighten to reduce the current in the aquarium.

    • 14

      Observe the spawning, which will typically occur within a few hours of the females being returned.

    • 15

      Turn off the hang-on filter to prevent the eggs from being drawn into the intake tube.

    • 16

      Remove the adult fish to prevent them from eating the eggs and fry.

    • 17

      Wait for the eggs to hatch in two to four days.

    • 18

      Turn down the air stone until there is only a very gentle stream of bubbles.

    • 19

      Replace the hang-on filter with a small sponge filter.

    • 20

      Feed the newly hatched fry on rotifers and infusoria.

    • 21

      Feed daphnia to the fry from two weeks of age.