All fish / Leuciscidae

Rainbow Shiner

Notropis chrosomus

Also known as rainbow shiner, rainbow minnow, notropis chrosomus, レインボーシャイナー, 彩虹美国鲦

A slim North American minnow with a silvery body, an iridescent blue and purple stripe along the flank and pink to red fins, especially in breeding males. It is kept for its striking spring colours in unheated or cool-water tanks with good flow, where a busy shoal makes a lively display.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

10 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 4 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

USA: Mobile Basin (Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee), Coosa and Cahaba drainages

Breeding

In the wild it spawns in spring over gravel nests built by other fish such as chubs and stonerollers. Captive breeding is possible with a cool winter period followed by warming, clean gravel and plenty of flow, but it is not routinely achieved at home.

Good to know

Needs cool, well-oxygenated water and will suffer in warm tropical tanks over long periods. Collection and trade of wild native fish may be regulated by US state laws, so check local rules.