Description

Yellowfin Shiner – Notropsis lutipinnis

The Yellowfin Shiner (Notropis lutipinnis) is a beautiful North American shoaling fish that makes an excellent alternative to traditional tropical schooling species. Best known for the brilliant colours displayed by mature males during the breeding season, these active fish develop shimmering blue bodies with vibrant yellow fins and flashes of red that rival many tropical species.

Unlike their close relative, the Rainbow Shiner, Yellowfin Shiners retain a more subtle appearance for much of the year before displaying spectacular breeding colours when kept in the right conditions. They naturally inhabit cool, fast-flowing streams and are ideally suited to temperate aquariums with excellent water movement. Yellowfin Shiners are native to streams and rivers of the southeastern United States, where they inhabit clear, flowing waters.

Yellowfin Shiner Aquarium Set Up

Notropsis lutipinnis need a reasonable sized aquarium for a small shoal to really be able to exhibit their natural active behaviour. Though this species is really not particularly fussy about anything, it is recommended that the flow is relatively strong and highly oxygenated with areas of calm water movement for resting. A river style aquarium would be ideal, furnished with smooth rounded rocks, sandy substrate or rounded gravel and some robust river plants like Bolbitis, Anubias and Java Fern.

Behaviour

Notropsis lutipinnis is an active, shoaling species that should be kept in groups of 6 or more specimens. They get along with all tank mates, but long finned species should probably be avoided as they may prove to be too tempting. Though at first they seem quite bland in appearance, the males will colour up into spectacular shades of purplish blue on their backs and heads when they reach sexual maturity.

Feeding

Food can be offered in the form of tropical pellets, as well as fresh or frozen fish foods such as mysis, bloodworm and daphnia.

If you have any questions about keeping the Yellowfin Shiner, please contact us and a member of our friendly tropical team will be more than happy to advise you on best practice.

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