Hi, does anyone have any idea where there are breeders of native aquarium fish in New York State (central NY area)? I've had a surprisingly difficult time finding some, and the ones I've found only seem to breed game fish and sunfish. I would really like to find a breeder of fish such as red bellied dace and other colorful minnows, various darters, killifish, mudminnows, etc. If not in New York, are there any online companies that I can order from which someone can reassure me is reputable? Or, is there anyone who just breeds as a hobby and sells? To collect non-game fish in NY, one needs a fishing license AND a collector's permit from the NYDEC. By the time I get through that process it will probably already be winter. I appreciate it if anyone has any info, thanks!

-Paul

There aren't too many people who breed smaller native fish. Many of the people who have them have wild collected them and don't maintain breeding populations. There are not any good mail order places I've found with small native fish and very few even for the native gamefish species. Your best bet is to contact these native fish groups. Both have mailing lists and/or forums where you can post a request for fish as they will swap fish with you or send you some for postage oftentimes.

http://www.nanfa.org
http://www.nativefish.org

I just found this site with one person who may sell various small native fish when available:
http://jonahsaquarium.com/fishlist.htm