NANF from All 50 States

[Widgets]

On 4/22/2022 at 8:59 AM, Fish Folk said:

@Widgets Holy cow! Nope, I'd never seen that site. Wow -- great photos. What a list. Florida truly is a NANF paradise.

I hear stories from the olden days when there were tropical fish farms in the small town I grew up in. They were basically growing the fish in man made ponds dug as long trenches. After a heavy rainstorm there would be tropical fish swimming in the ditches and storm drains.

[OnlyGenusCaps]

On 4/20/2022 at 11:32 PM, drewzero1 said:

I've been looking into options for legal collection of live fish for aquarium use in Wisconsin and (as far as I can tell) the DNR prohibits it entirely.

To me this is the catch 22 of regulations that are being set up for "wild" pets.  You get the "we don't want you to keep native species because it could threaten their populations and it's hard to regulate".  But then if you want to keep exotic (i.e. non-native) species, at the same time you get "exotics pose a risk for disease and invasion, so we don't want you keeping those either".  Make up your 🤬 minds!   Or is the long-term intent to just ban it all?! 

Sorry.  Mini-rant over. 

I'm excited to see the list fleshed out with more resources to learn about each of the species, @Fish Folk.  This is just an incredible thread and future resource!  It epitomizes what forums are good at under the best conditions.

[Fish Folk]

@OnlyGenusCaps I am not trying to be too systematic with the articles, videos, links, etc. that I connect with each species. It's a wild, wild ride! So far today I've watched videos from Utah about a pond built into a Jail grounds by inmates to house the endangered Least Chub; a Church in Arkansas that set up a protected wetlands walk on their property for the protected Watercress Darter, along with its minister who was passionate about ecology; Coyote Petersen catching Sculpins from tide pools in Alaska -- a _different_ species than the one I listed; random kids filming Desert Pupfish breeding in the wild after a rainfall; and a guy catching golden topminnows from waterways in his _city_.

It's such a crazy fun thing to research. Of course, I make use of helpful Wikipedia articles, remembering that the most helpful part of any Wikipedia article is always the links at the bottom under heading "References." I also have linked to some fishbase.us articles -- which provide a treasure trove of helpful research data. But I'm also finding curious NANFA articles on breeding these species, blog postings by non professional enthusiasts . . . so much to enjoy.

[Fish Folk]

I just linked up some articles and videos for the Owens Pupfish. Crazy story there about Phil Pister, who in 1969 literally saved the last representatives of this species on planet earth in a bucket!

Here's a 14-second clip of them now, embedded in an online article from the New York Times.

I'm telling you . . . this is as fascinating as it gets for me in this hobby!

[OnlyGenusCaps]

On 4/22/2022 at 9:25 AM, Fish Folk said:

Crazy story there about Phil Pister, who in 1969 literally saved the last representatives of this species on planet earth in a bucket!

He'd have been prosecuted these days!  Although this was before ESA, so a different world.  Still a great story tough.  I think this word gets used too often these days, but that dude is a hero!  Just ask the pupfish. 

On 4/22/2022 at 9:25 AM, Fish Folk said:

I'm telling you . . . this is as fascinating as it gets for me in this hobby!

Fair.  But let's also hope we never again have to reply on a guy with a bucket and good intentions to save a species.  Although...  Right now that's probably still an unrealistic goal. 

[drewzero1]

On 4/22/2022 at 8:55 AM, OnlyGenusCaps said:

To me this is the catch 22 of regulations that are being set up for "wild" pets.  You get the "we don't want you to keep native species because it could threaten their populations and it's hard to regulate".  But then if you want to keep exotic (i.e. non-native) species, at the same time you get "exotics pose a risk for disease and invasion, so we don't want you keeping those either".  Make up your 🤬 minds!   Or is the long-term intent to just ban it all?! 

Sorry.  Mini-rant over. 

I'm excited to see the list fleshed out with more resources to learn about each of the species, @Fish Folk.  This is just an incredible thread and future resource!  It epitomizes what forums are good at under the best conditions.

It truly is a catch-22, however I can understand their reasoning in this case. Since the mid-2000s we've had outbreaks of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in some of our waters causing fish to bleed internally and die. As far as I'm aware it's not in all bodies of water in WI, and the DNR has been attempting to stop the spread by stopping people from moving live wild-caught fish. I had hoped it would be temporary but I'm losing hope. Eventually we'll just have to ban wildlife altogether.

Edited April 22, 2022 by drewzero1

[OnlyGenusCaps]

On 4/22/2022 at 11:17 AM, drewzero1 said:

It truly is a catch-22, however I can understand their reasoning in this case. Since the mid-2000s we've had outbreaks of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in some of our waters causing fish to bleed internally and die. As far as I'm aware it's not in all bodies of water in WI, and the DNR has been attempting to stop the spread by stopping people from moving live wild-caught fish. I had hoped it would be temporary but I'm losing hope. Eventually we'll just have to ban wildlife altogether.

Please don't misunderstand.  I'm often not good at expressing myself in writing, and I apologize if I seemed entirely dismissive of those concerns.  I agree that both arguments have merit and justifications that are based in real on-the-ground problems.  I suppose my real arguments are with the oftentimes broad brushes with which the solutions are painted.  I seem to be perennially arguing room needs to be maintained for nuance and exceptions.  More of a tilting at windmills in my case, most likely. 

[Fish Folk]

I've finished adding links to articles and videos for NANF from Alabama through Michigan, going back through the list alphabetically.

I continue to learn so much in this project. Sometimes I stumble upon a research-work-of-love by some obscure biologist who has spent years patiently documenting observations on a single species. But I am also fascinated by the random person who just grabs some fish from their backyard, puts it in a tank, and shows how natives can adapt to captivity. I learned that Mummichogs were the first species of fish sent into outer space (1973). And I had no idea how many people are into "micro-fishing" for small native fish on ultralight tackle. I've discovered a number of species that did not make this list . . . and I am thinking of going through every state, and adding a different fish from each state to continue this study. Right now, I'm watching videos of the Tangerine Darter eating black worms in a museum fish tank . . . and swimming naturally in its wild environment in the upper Tennessee river system . . . it's such a bright, lovely fish. I feel like every U.S. native tank should feature some.

[OnlyGenusCaps]

On 4/25/2022 at 9:51 PM, Fish Folk said:

And I had no idea how many people are into "micro-fishing" for small native fish on ultralight tackle.

Ah, like tanago fishing!  I was thinking that if I ever took up fishing, that would be the type for me.  Just learning about what little fish swim in various bodies of water.

[Torrey]

On 4/25/2022 at 8:51 PM, Fish Folk said:

I've finished adding links to articles and videos for NANF from Alabama through Michigan, going back through the list alphabetically.

I continue to learn so much in this project. Sometimes I stumble upon a research-work-of-love by some obscure biologist who has spent years patiently documenting observations on a single species. But I am also fascinated by the random person who just grabs some fish from their backyard, puts it in a tank, and shows how natives can adapt to captivity. I learned that Mummichogs were the first species of fish sent into outer space (1973). And I had no idea how many people are into "micro-fishing" for small native fish on ultralight tackle. I've discovered a number of species that did not make this list . . . and I am thinking of going through every state, and adding a different fish from each state to continue this study. Right now, I'm watching videos of the Tangerine Darter eating black worms in a museum fish tank . . . and swimming naturally in its wild environment in the upper Tennessee river system . . . it's such a bright, lovely fish. I feel like every U.S. native tank should feature some.

I don't know if the North Carolina Museum of Natural History has a live stream of their "fish tank" (it's a full replica of a natural habitat, and helping with the original build as a student volunteer in the early '80s really influenced my approach to trying to find a balance), but I suspect you would really enjoy visiting if you ever get out there. Predator plants living in a bog recreation with turtles, frogs and fish... it's an amazing place!

[Fish Folk]

@Torrey we often vacation down near Emerald Isle, NC. The Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium has a fascination freshwater exhibit. Loads of darters that most people fly by. They're my absolute favorites now...

 

[Torrey]

On 4/25/2022 at 9:43 PM, Fish Folk said:

@Torrey we often vacation down near Emerald Isle, NC. The Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium has a fascination freshwater exhibit. Loads of darters that most people fly by. They're my absolute favorites now...

 

My folks had to sadly sell their vacation spot at Emerald Isle when both were laid off 3 years before full retirement...

I haven't been out to the "new" aquarium yet, our 2020 trip to NC got.... delayed.

[Fish Folk]

@Torrey I do understand. We made it out the last few years during the off-season. On the Shakleford Banks, I snapped this of the horses...

But also this indelible sign of the times, even out on the banks...

My little guy went hunting for Mosquito fish...

And my wife and I enjoyed quiet beach walks with very few folks around (we go in off-season)...

 

 

[Torrey]

On 4/25/2022 at 10:58 PM, Fish Folk said:

@Torrey I do understand. We made it out the last few years during the off-season. On the Shakleford Banks, I snapped this of the horses...

But also this indelible sign of the times, even out on the banks...

My little guy went hunting for Mosquito fish...

And my wife and I enjoyed quiet beach walks with very few folks around (we go in off-season)...

 

 

Awesome!!! 

ORD 😍

[Fish Folk]

Here’s four minutes of my favorite “subtle tank boss” for smaller NANF aquariums. Enneacanthus obesus…

 

[Tihshho]

Did you catch that specimin or did you find a captive source? It's neat that small sunfish species exist! I just wish that Lepomis peltastes stayed that small.

[Fish Folk]

On 5/16/2022 at 3:56 PM, Tihshho said:

Did you catch that specimin or did you find a captive source? It's neat that small sunfish species exist! I just wish that Lepomis peltastes stayed that small.

Right! Lepomis are gorgeous, but need much more space.

I get mine from a NANF dealer in OH. 

[Jawjagrrl]

On 4/20/2022 at 11:56 PM, Fish Folk said:

HVirginia - Saffron Shiner (Notropis rubricroceus) avg. 2 inches. I am going to say... in breeding dress, this is my personal favorite NANF fish. I am planning on starting up a 29 gallon aquarium in a few months with the intention to breed these.

On 4/20/2022 at 11:56 PM, Fish Folk said:

 

I wish I could go back in time to my VA days and that 30 gal that could have housed these gorgeous fish!! 

[Fish Folk]

Any of you who live in the range marked by iNat sightings here could see some of these native emeralds in a creek, stream, river, etc.

Etheostoma zonale, Banded Darters. Here’s my tank today…

 

Edited May 16, 2022 by Fish Folk

[Fish Folk]

Exciting day up at the headwaters of the Savage River in Western MD. Caught and released at least three — maybe 4x species in hand nets. I’m guessing some species here, totally unsure with others…

Blacknose Dace (?)

(fry)

Fantail Darters

 

Unknown sp. Shiner (?)

Possible creek chub fry (?) with Dace fry

Fun times with kids!

Not a fish thing, but interesting wind turbines on the ridge above us here…

Edited June 29, 2022 by Fish Folk

[Odd Duck]

Love that black-nosed dace!  Looks kind of like a cross between an otocinclus and a penguin fish.

[Fish Folk]

Took an afternoon visit to a mountain pond.

Here’s a bunch of catfish fry in the water (sorry about the random cement truck idling noise in the background)…

And here’s the fry in my specimen container for a few minutes…

 

[Torrey]

@Fish Folk I can't tell you thank you enough for posting all the information here, and the videos. Finally got full (enthusiastic) consent, and started the dining room build! 

Palaemonetes paludosus are already breeding in their Q/T, and shrimplette (zooeys) are munching on the biofilm on the tree branches. Should have the 4' tank ready for inhabitants once it's safer to ship in the fall.

 

[Fish Folk]

On 7/8/2022 at 7:00 PM, Torrey said:

@Fish Folk I can't tell you thank you enough for posting all the information here, and the videos. Finally got full (enthusiastic) consent, and started the dining room build! 

Palaemonetes paludosus are already breeding in their Q/T, and shrimplette (zooeys) are munching on the biofilm on the tree branches. Should have the 4' tank ready for inhabitants once it's safer to ship in the fall.

 

Awesome! I just love those shrimp. 

[Torrey]

On 7/8/2022 at 7:13 PM, Fish Folk said:

Awesome! I just love those shrimp. 

Me too! I could fall asleep watching them for extended time periods, they are so entertaining! All adults have successfully molted at least once now, and the 2 smallest appear to have molted twice, plus the babies surviving past the 24 hour mark screams success so far (to me)