Breeding Red Shiner

How to breed Notropis lutrensis: a crevice-spawning and broadcast cyprinid with brilliant breeding males, high fecundity, and an invasive-release warning for US waters.

Overview

The Red Shiner (Notropis lutrensis, also placed in the genus Cyprinella) is a hardy North American cyprinid. It is a flexible spawner that uses crevices as well as broadcasting eggs, and breeding males develop intense coloration. It is regarded as a species of special concern where it has been introduced.

Sexing

During the breeding season males are vividly coloured, showing iridescent pink-purple-blue sides and a red crown and fins, while the dorsal fin remains dark. These nuptial colours make breeding males readily distinguishable from females.

Breeding Setup

Provide rocks and crevices alongside open substrate and vegetation, since the species both deposits eggs in crevices and attaches them to rocks or plants. A cool temperate tank suits this fish. The spawning season generally runs from mid-April through September.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

In addition to spawning in crevices like other members of Cyprinella, Red Shiners also broadcast their eggs and attach them to rocks or vegetation. Spawning is highly productive: females can release up to 16 batches per day with up to 71 eggs per batch.

Egg & Fry Care

Fecundity is high, with an average clutch size of 585 eggs and five to 19 clutches in a single reproductive season. The adults provide no parental care, so eggs and fry should be separated from broodstock to limit predation.