Coldwater Fish For Small Unheated Tank

[MudMinnow]

I've run into the 'weather loach' before. The native spined loachCobitis taenia is also known as a weather loach. But the loach sold as the weather loach in shops is typically from the Misgurnus genus such as M. anguillicaudatus. The one in the list above is M. fossilis.
 
As well as staying legal, I would also like to be careful about the possibility of introducing an invasive species. I've seen what that was like when I lived in New Zealand. With some of the lakes there overrun with invasive species. Clearly I can make sure that I keep them in a tank and don't let them out, but if I give away fry, I would prefer there was no possibility that someone further down the line releases them. It's just so much simpler if I keep something that can't survive outside.
 
However, I suppose I shouldn't assume that something can't survive outside and become an invasive species. There must be loads of fish in cold countries that could easily survive, and the list is very short.

 

[MBOU]

You should see the numbers of invasive species in the rivers local to me here in the UK!!
 
There is one particular river in High Wycombe where we have gone crayfishing for the non native and horribly invasive crayfish, did take a bit of checking about legislation as you need a license for trapping any crayfish because of the risk of catching the few native ones but apparently they don't object to people rounding up the invasive ones at night with torches, fishing nets and a few drinks on board
 
We went up during the day a few times trying to find crayfish and I was laying on my stomach hanging over the edge watching for crayfish when 2 HUGE barbel cruised past and whilst I suddenly realised there were loads of fish cruising about that I hadn't been watching, I could see a great big goldfish (a good 20-25cm+tail) swimming down the middle of the river! Apparently quite a few colourful koi have been seen in that area as well, just not by me. Could also see red and yellow belly sliders/terrapins basking down the edges of the river occasionally, loads of them in the Thames! Not to mention that I dare say half the plants are not native.

 

[MudMinnow]

You should see the numbers of invasive species in the rivers local to me here in the UK!!
 
There is one particular river in High Wycombe where we have gone crayfishing for the non native and horribly invasive crayfish, did take a bit of checking about legislation as you need a license for trapping any crayfish because of the risk of catching the few native ones but apparently they don't object to people rounding up the invasive ones at night with torches, fishing nets and a few drinks on board

 
We went up during the day a few times trying to find crayfish and I was laying on my stomach hanging over the edge watching for crayfish when 2 HUGE barbel cruised past and whilst I suddenly realised there were loads of fish cruising about that I hadn't been watching, I could see a great big goldfish (a good 20-25cm+tail) swimming down the middle of the river! Apparently quite a few colourful koi have been seen in that area as well, just not by me. Could also see red and yellow belly sliders/terrapins basking down the edges of the river occasionally, loads of them in the Thames! Not to mention that I dare say half the plants are not native.

 
I've seen a signal crayfish around here. I was in the river at the time and attempted to catch it, but it evaded me. Not that I would have known what to do with it had I caught it. As there are still some white clawed crayfish around here, catching of any crayfish is not allowed: http/www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/38045.aspx Otters have recently recolonised a river near me, and judging by evidence of crayfish bits I've found on the bank, I guess that the otters know what to do with them.
 
I haven't seen any invasive fish that I remember. Unless you count a spined loach which I suspect that I saw. It certainly looked like one, and our local rivers eventually get to the Trent, which is one of the places where they are found. But it's unlikely they made it all the way up here. The spined loach apparently reached the UK when the channel was dry and the Trent joined with the Rhine. Or something. Not a grey squirrel or signal crayfish recent invader.
 
Slightly OT, but does anyone else enjoy actually getting into rivers to have a look at the fish from close quarters? (Standard disclaimer about safety precautions etc.) I'm surprised how close you can get to them. Particularly minnows.

 

[MudMinnow]

Just an update (don't know if it's suitable to post updates without a follow up, or if it's seen to be 'bumping' my thread).
 
Nottingham Aquatics has some unusual species to consider. Rhinogobius cliffordpopei. Not sure about them, a quick google suggests they may be bumblebee fish fussy about food. But they have Rainbow Dace/Red Shiners Cyprinella lutrensis which look to be a good option.
 
In the meantime, I've built a new lid for the aquarium as the old one was falling to bits. Dunno if I was being paranoid to order special 'non-toxic' paint, but I did so. I've some ebay bids out on some additional plants and hope to pick up some new gravel over the next short period. Would well-washed garden centre gravel be fine? Previously I had the bottom covered in slate chips.

 

[MudMinnow]

Erm, I can't edit my previous post any more.
 
Nottingham Aquatics has a full stocklist online that I missed first time on the site. They sell Sticklebacks, as well as Garra pingi pingi which appears to be a reasonable algae eater for cooler tanks. Previously discussed here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/34272-garra-pingi-pingi/ And they have Taiwan Bitterlings, As well as quite a few invertebrates.