Rainbow Shiner

Rainbow Shiner (Notropis chrosomus) is one of North America's most spectacularly colored native fish — a small, hardy minnow from the clear streams of Alabama that develops extraordinary breeding coloration in males: vivid rose-pink to magenta body with blue and purple iridescence on the flanks and brilliant red-orange fins. The transformation from the non-breeding silver form to full breeding color is remarkable and rivals any tropical fish.

Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Micro Pellets make excellent daily staples. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen Daphnia. Cool water (62–72°F) is important — this is a temperate North American species that declines in warm water. An unheated aquarium is ideal in most homes.

Native to the Coosa and Tallapoosa river drainages in Alabama — clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams over gravel and rock substrate. This species requires cool water; temperatures above 75°F cause stress and decline. An unheated aquarium in most homes (65–72°F) is ideal. It shares its Alabama stream habitat with other spectacular native fish including various darters and chubs.

Keep in groups of at least eight. Males develop full breeding coloration when competing for female attention — a group with multiple males is far more spectacular than a single fish. Compatible with other cool-water native North American species and temperate species from similar habitats such as White Cloud Mountain Minnows.

The Rainbow Shiner is a genuine gem of the native North American aquarium hobby — a fish that surprises everyone who sees it in full color for the first time. The vivid magenta and iridescent breeding coloration truly is extraordinary for a native minnow.

Care & Ideal Parameters