Remarks: The rainbow shiner is one of the most spectacularly colored fish native to North America. When in optimal conditions and spawning, males will have vibrant red and purple bodies with electric blue fins and iridescent scales. When not spawning, their colors are much more subdued but still make for a beautiful fish. In the wild, they can be found in springs and clear, rocky streams throughout the southeastern United States. As these waters rarely rise above 75° F, rainbow shiners do best when kept at room temperature or cooler. This also makes them a great candidate for ponds that do not contain any fish large enough to swallow them as they tolerate moderate winters very well.