{"product_id":"rainbow-shiner-hydrophlox-chrosomus","title":"Rainbow Shiner - Hydrophlox chrosomus","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiner – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNotropis chrosomus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a spectacular North American temperate fish known for its electric blue, pink, red and purple breeding colours. Widely sold as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNotropis chrosomus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and now also listed by some references as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHydrophlox chrosomus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this active shoaling minnow is best kept in an unheated or cool-water aquarium with clean, well-oxygenated water. It is peaceful, colourful and hardy in the right setup, but it should not be kept long term as a warm tropical community fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rainbow Shiner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rainbow Minnow, Rainbow Shiner Minnow, Alabama Rainbow Shiner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNotropis chrosomus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurrent \/ Alternative Scientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHydrophlox chrosomus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Shiner \/ Minnow \/ Cyprinid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiners are native to North America, especially the Mobile Bay drainage of the south-eastern United States. Their natural range includes the Coosa, Cahaba, Alabama and upper Black Warrior River systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the wild, they are associated with clean streams, creeks and small rivers, often using areas with clear, oxygen-rich water, current, stones, gravel and open swimming space. In the aquarium, they do best in a mature temperate setup with good flow, strong oxygenation, smooth stones, rounded gravel or sand, robust plants and open areas for shoaling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiners have a slim, active minnow shape with bright colour that intensifies dramatically during breeding condition. Mature males can show intense blue, purple, pink, red and orange tones across the body, face and fins. Females and non-breeding fish are usually more subdued, with silvery, olive, pinkish or blue highlights.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6–8 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with some sources listing up to around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Colour varies with sex, age, season, temperature, diet and breeding condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is best suited to temperate community aquariums, cool-water planted displays and river-style setups. It is a good option for customers wanting a colourful unheated aquarium fish that is more unusual than White Cloud Mountain Minnows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiners are not suitable for hot tropical aquariums, discus-style temperatures, tiny nano tanks, aggressive cichlid displays, predator aquariums or very slow delicate communities. They are active fish and need swimming room, oxygen and a proper group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90–120 litres for a group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e75–90 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for bigger shoals, stronger current zones and mixed temperate communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep in a group of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eat least 8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10 or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e preferred. Larger groups are more confident, show better colour and display more natural shoaling behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 10–22°C preferred\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.5–7.8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soft to hard, adaptable if stable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rainbow Shiners are temperate fish and are ideal for unheated indoor aquariums in many UK homes. They can tolerate a range of temperatures, but prolonged warm tropical conditions are best avoided. Maintain clean, well-oxygenated water with good flow, regular partial water changes and no ammonia or nitrite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiners are peaceful but active shoaling fish. Suitable tank mates include White Cloud Mountain Minnows, small danios, other peaceful temperate minnows, hillstream loaches, Rhinogobius-type gobies, weather loaches where appropriate, and robust community fish that enjoy cooler, oxygen-rich water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid warm-water specialists, slow long-finned fish, very timid species, tiny fry, dwarf shrimp breeding colonies, large predators and aggressive fish. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as group life is important for confidence and natural behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiners are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small granules and micro pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae, bloodworm and small insect-based foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey naturally take small drifting foods in the water column, so foods that move through the current are readily accepted. A varied diet helps support strong colour, condition and breeding displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is active through the middle and upper levels of the aquarium, often swimming in a loose shoal through open water and current. Males may intensify in colour and display to rivals, especially during seasonal breeding condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRainbow Shiners are egg scatterers and gravel spawners. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are likely to be eaten unless a separate breeding setup or protected spawning area is used.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd Rainbow Shiners only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide open swimming space, high oxygenation, stable water quality and a secure lid, as active minnows may jump when startled. Avoid keeping them permanently in warm tropical aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species must never be released into ponds, streams, rivers or wild waterways. Unwanted fish should always be rehomed responsibly through an aquarium retailer, club or experienced keeper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOccasional \/ Specialist temperate fish, often captive-bred when available\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, blue colour, red colour, pink tone, breeding colour, sex, season and markings can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43719653392458,"sku":"AG-103570","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43719653425226,"sku":"AG-103571","price":4.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43719653457994,"sku":"AG-103572","price":5.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/RainbowShiner-Hydrophloxchrosomus.jpg?v=1781775085","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/rainbow-shiner-hydrophlox-chrosomus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}