What's my fish? Tiny fast moving silver chap

[LuluMC]

Just looked up a red finned shiner on Wikipedia and Lisak1 I think you may well be right! Seems to match the description really well. Thanks so much.

The local fish store looked completely baffled when I started trying to describe this fish, so I might spare him the further humiliation of being dragged around in a bag!

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Tara]

Welcome, that is a nice fish.

 

[LuluMC]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know much about red finned shiners? I have just read on the Web that they shouldn't be kept with goldfish as they fin nip. Do I need to separate them?????

 

[addy1]

If they have co existing fine all this time I would leave them.

 

[LuluMC]

I think you are right. Just keep an eye on it I guess. There is lots of plants and things to eat instead of each other!

 

[Lisak1]

I do think an aquarium is different than a pond - much bigger environment for everyone to just keep to their own business!

 

[Gemma]

Maybe a red-finned shiner? He looks thrilled to be in that bowl!

Is that the same as a red tail tinfoil Barb?

 

[j.w]

@LuluMC
Pretty fish and sound like you found your answer

I just read some about them and says they only get a to 8.9CM (3&1/2 inches) and need warmer water around 20C (68F) and only live for 3 years and spawn only once because of there short life span and they don't reach maturity till 2 or 3 yrs.

 

[LuluMC]

Hmmmm, maybe they aren't the same afterall? These blighters have been going strong for at least 4 years and had no problem with last winter's "beast from the east". If they only live for 3 years that would actually solve my overstocked pond issue!!

 

[j.w]

Hmmmm, maybe they aren't the same afterall? These blighters have been going strong for at least 4 years and had no problem with last winter's "beast from the east". If they only live for 3 years that would actually solve my overstocked pond issue!!

Now this place says they live in Ohio and it gets cold there: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/fish/redfin-shiner

 

[Jhn]

Are you located in the UK?

If so, look up redfinned Rudd, your pics look like one.

 

[LuluMC]

Agreed, but wouldn't they be every bit as big as the goldfish? These fish haven't grown for years and they are mature/ breeding

 

[addy1]

Agreed, but wouldn't they be every bit as big as the goldfish? These fish haven't grown for years and they are mature/ breeding

By what they show on the net the rudd is a decent sized fish, a big goldfish size. Yours sure look like that.

 

[Jhn]

Agreed, but wouldn't they be every bit as big as the goldfish? These fish haven't grown for years and they are mature/ breeding

Not necessarily, fish grow at different rates even the same species in the same environment. Reaching breeding age/maturity doesn’t mean they are fully grown. The fish may be growing very slowly, so it appears they aren’t growing.