For those from the southeastern US...small native fish?

Sploke

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Oct 20, 2005
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I finally have my 200gal turtle tank set up and really like the look. I'll try and get some updated pictures tonight. Anyway, I was thinking, I've had guppies in with her and she picks them off occasionally, but largely ignores them. I think they're mostly too small for her to bother with.

I think it would look really good if I could find some native fish to put in with her, but I'm not sure what types of fish are native to her area. I'm thinking southeastern US, from the gulf states and up the coast about as far as the carolinas. What small baitfish are native to these waters? The next challenge will be acquiring some...
 
Dwarf livebearers, bluefin and pygmy killifishes come to mind. Not sure about mixing with turtles, for the most part, I've heard turtles and fish don't mix well.
 
I like some of the species of gambusia...Maybe I'll see if my LFS can get me some dalmations and some regular easterns.
 
minnows are in every body of water i see around here. dont know if turtles eat them or not.

there's also brim.. but they get bigger.. like the size of my hand.. still, i dont know if turtles like them or not.
 
sunfish are a pretty good idea, not sure about minnows, I imagine they need pristine high-oxygen water that won't be easily accomodated in a turtle tank
 
I could go out and catch some bluegill or something but they would get eaten within a few minutes. The idea of small fish was so that she would ignore them. To put it in perspective, she'll chase things as small as tuffies, but leaves guppies alone. I like the idea of livebearing fish because even if she eats the larger ones, they should be able to maintain a population.
 
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