Rainbow shiner

The rainbow shiner is a small North American minnow in the family Cyprinidae, native to clear, cool streams of the southeastern United States. Outside the breeding season it is silvery, but males develop intense blue, pink, and purple iridescence with red-edged fins when in spawning condition. It is a peaceful, active shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of six or more to feel secure and to display its best colors. Males intensify their coloration when competing for the attention of females. Because it comes from temperate streams, it prefers cooler, well-oxygenated water with steady flow. A planted tank with open swimming space and a fine substrate suits it well. It is an omnivore that readily takes small live and frozen foods, micro-pellets, and flake. It is a good candidate for unheated or subtropical setups.