So they're not that difficult to catch then? That's good! When you kept your darters, what did you keep them with, and what did you feed them? I live in Larkspur, and it is a bit of a drive, but I could probably get there in 2 hours. Umm... Do you think that the west branch would be good? Or is there anywhere closer I can catch them? From here to there, its about a 4 hour trip, so if we could drop 2 hours, that would be great!
Candy Darter fish?
- Thread starter ppetropulo
- Start date
Thanks for the info.! Umm... I wouldn't be able to drive that far though. You see, I live in Larkspur, and from here to there is a 4 hour drive. I'm glad they're not to difficult to catch though! Do you know of anywhere closer that I might find them? I'd like to at most make just a 2 hour trip. Oh, and when you had yours, what did you feed them? And what fish did you keep them with? Thanks!
Larkspur, eh? Home of the Rennaissance Festival, been a few years since I've been down there. 
Sorry, shoulda been a little clearer, the North Platte River Basin. I believe that is the limit of the Iowa darter's native range in Colorado. Anything within two hours of ya will probably limit ya to johnny darters. A little homework should find ya a water body within two hours east of ya that has some. Colorado also has Arkansas and orangethroat darters, in areas of the east, but both are considered threatened within the state and ya would wanna do some serious checkin' with the game and fish before collectin' either.
They are easy to catch. My favorite spot is 'bout 10 miles from the Colorado border in Wyoming, on the Big Laramie. There's a lot of twists in the river at this spot and it creates a lotta pools to choose from. Like I said, as river levels drop, they get trapped in pools along the shore and between sandbars. I look for pools 'bout 18" deep and 3'-6' in size with some rock and plant cover in 'em, then net the darters out with a 4"x6" aquarium net. Forget tryin' to get 'em out of the main river unless ya wanna a work out, they're gone before ya can blink and ya loose sight of 'em almost instantly in the current, not to mention figting the current tryin' to maneuver on slippery rocks. The johnny darters are a little different. They can often be found in small lakes along the shoreline in shallow, gravel and rock strewn waters. A bigger net isn't required, but it sure does make it easier.
The first time I kept darters I kept 'em with standard community fish, though that was twenty-five years ago and I don't remember exactly what. I won't do that again. I've found they're much more active and interesting in an unheated species tank with some zebra danios or white clouds as dithers. WC fish won't take flake or small pellets IME, so I fed a variety of live and frozen foods: blood worms, mysis, etc. If ya can keep 'em somewhere 15°-20° cooler than room temp for a coupla months in the winter, they'll take on breeding colors in the spring. I never could entice either species to actually spawn, though they did display a lot.
Good luck if ya give it a whirl,
WYite
Sorry, shoulda been a little clearer, the North Platte River Basin. I believe that is the limit of the Iowa darter's native range in Colorado. Anything within two hours of ya will probably limit ya to johnny darters. A little homework should find ya a water body within two hours east of ya that has some. Colorado also has Arkansas and orangethroat darters, in areas of the east, but both are considered threatened within the state and ya would wanna do some serious checkin' with the game and fish before collectin' either.
They are easy to catch. My favorite spot is 'bout 10 miles from the Colorado border in Wyoming, on the Big Laramie. There's a lot of twists in the river at this spot and it creates a lotta pools to choose from. Like I said, as river levels drop, they get trapped in pools along the shore and between sandbars. I look for pools 'bout 18" deep and 3'-6' in size with some rock and plant cover in 'em, then net the darters out with a 4"x6" aquarium net. Forget tryin' to get 'em out of the main river unless ya wanna a work out, they're gone before ya can blink and ya loose sight of 'em almost instantly in the current, not to mention figting the current tryin' to maneuver on slippery rocks. The johnny darters are a little different. They can often be found in small lakes along the shoreline in shallow, gravel and rock strewn waters. A bigger net isn't required, but it sure does make it easier.
The first time I kept darters I kept 'em with standard community fish, though that was twenty-five years ago and I don't remember exactly what. I won't do that again. I've found they're much more active and interesting in an unheated species tank with some zebra danios or white clouds as dithers. WC fish won't take flake or small pellets IME, so I fed a variety of live and frozen foods: blood worms, mysis, etc. If ya can keep 'em somewhere 15°-20° cooler than room temp for a coupla months in the winter, they'll take on breeding colors in the spring. I never could entice either species to actually spawn, though they did display a lot.
Good luck if ya give it a whirl,
WYite
Cool! Thanks for the info. Ivan! You really should visit the Ren. Fest. again... I've been every year since I was born!
Oh, I'll head down that way again one of these days. Can't find a better turkey leg anywhere! Last time I was down there some guy was walkin' around in a Star Wars stormtrooper suit. One of the "beggars" was followin' him around heckling him, OMG I couldn't stop laughin'!
I guess I'd compare darter behavior to gobies and apistos, if I had to make a comparison. I put a powerhead at one end of a 20 gallon long with a gravel substrate and plenty of rocks and driftwood, for 4 to 6 fish, with an HOB mid-tank. Works great. I've got a 33 long that isn't currently in use, this thread has got me thinkin' maybe I oughta go catch me 8 or 10. The 33 is long enough I could actually pile the rocks up in front of the powerhead and create a real riffle effect.
WYite
Oh... I love Rennis. They're really wierd, but they're also really funny! I must say, their turkey legs are delicious! Definately a mouthful, but that's half the fun! And steak on a stake. That's REALLY good too. Hmm... you should set up that tank. Then, you should post a pict.! Oh, and thanks for the info. on how to set up a tank!
Our local Faire is held on the grounds of a winery that set up a microbrewery a few years back...........!
Cool! Our's is in the middle of the Rocky Mtns.! Its set up like a small town with shops, food stands, jousting and what not, but the whole forest thing makes it really believable! Do you go costuming to the fair?
