Captive Care Notes: Longfin Daces (Agosia, Family Cyprinidae)

Aquarists at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson have bred Longfin Dace (Agosia chrysogaster) outdoors in 1136-2271 liter (300-600 gal) tanks. Abundant plants (Myriophyllum, Potamogeton, Elodea) are planted in plastic bus pans (like those used in restaurants) filled with 18-30 grit silica sand to a depth of 10-12 cm (4-5 in). The dace are kept cool during the winter, but heaters are used to keep the temperature from dropping below 10C (50F). As spring approaches, aquarists reduce water changes to simulate evaporation. Then, as nighttime temperatures reach 16C (61F), massive water changes are performed to simulate the spring rainy season. Spawning occurs at this time. Adult Longfin Dace are fed frozen and live foods and veggie flakes. Fry eat frozen and live baby brine shrimp as soon as they are seen, and crushed veggie flakes soon after that. Fry stay near the surface seeking shelter in the thick plant cover (K. Wintin, pers. comm.).

It should be noted that Arizona and New Mexico regulations prohibit the capture and possession of any native fishes, including Longfin Dace, without special permits.