SE Biotope

[scott]

I have been kicking around the idea of doing a SE biotope with either smallmouth or largemouth bass as the centerfish and maybe some blue gill or pumpkinseeds, crawdads etc. Collect local fauna for plantings. Has anyone done this and would a pond be better suited? I would really like a tank as with ponds you can't see anything, how many gallons does anyone think? Both fish have their drawbacks to aquaria, largemouth with their size and smallmouth like fastmoving water......anyone?

[VoodooChild]

When you mean SE, do you mean South East? Not too sure here, but I can certainly helps ya out. Both of the Micropterus get big, so I'd say a 180 at least, just because they're predatory and fast moving. You might get away with a 125, but that's really pretty cramped. You'd be better off with any of the Lepomis or other panfish. The green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, could be good, just because they can take god-awful water conditions. I'd shoot for a 75 if I were you. You can have a small school of pumpkin seeds in that. Just so you do know though, they're aggressive fish, and you could quickly have a Malawian style fight for power. Keep an eye out for that. If I had to set up a native tank, I'd use rough fish. Maybe some darters and sculpins on the bottom, or a couple of madtoms, and some cyprinidae up top. Just a thought. People often look at minnows like....well, minnows, but alot of them are pretty fish that look great in a school.

[OrionGirl]

Keep in mind that the temp will be an issue--you want it to stay in the 60's to low 70's. Check with your local DNR/G&F about collection laws, and plan NOW for how you will dispose of them when you tear the tank down. Dumping them in a local water way is not an option.

I'd avoid the bass--they'll way outgrow even a 180, and will really limit what else you can keep. Anything smaller than them will end up being a snack.

Check www.nanfa.net.org/ for more help.

[scott]

The collection point will be the pond on my uncle's farm so if I do break the tank down I can just put the fish back. Yes for SE I meant South East, sorry. I definately like the minnow idea and I am thinking if the bass get to large I can throw them back and catch new ones. I don't know if we have any green sunfish I know we have the regular ones in addition to the pumpkinseeds and bluegill. From what you are saying about their aggression I gather it is not a good idea to mix species, is this correct? I would think if I just don't heat the tank the temp would stay fairly stable if I did indeed go in the mid one hundred gallon range, what do you think? Just rereading your post are you saying not to mix the bass and sunfish? When you say a small school is that say six to eight in a 125?

[OrionGirl]

Keep in mind that sunfish are fiesty buggers--they'll beat the heck out of each other if they can. A male with 5-6 females in a 125 would work fairly well. Plant heavily, and they'll probably spawn for you.

However--just because it's your family's property doesn't mean it's legal. I know that what you're proposing would get you busted in Wyoming if you didn't have the proper permits. Just advising you to check your local regs, to prevent a problem. Introducing a non-native species here in WY could cost you big time. Stocking a fish that introduces an aquarium disease into a wild population would be enough to bankrupt a couple states.

[scott]

Thanks for the advice, I will check out the regulations, by the way I couldn't get that link to work, is the link the same as the website or is it a page off of a different website, thanks.

[OrionGirl]

Wups--sorry, should be www.nanfa.org/

My bad!

[scott]

I didn't get to deep into the website but it looks great! Thanks for the link.

[jiggerpolebill]

nanfa is an awesome website. i believe if you do a search here on "florida tank" youll find a couple of other members doing native tanks. google search "jonahs aquarium" for a site that sells(im sure you want to collect your own, but...) native species and has some good photos. let us know which direction you go.

[corvettekid82]

Yes us FL tank guys are out here :) I've kept a few sunfish before and they are very fun fish to keep. They can also be quite territorial and will eat other inhabitants just as quickly as a Bass would. I've kept small 1-3" bass before and have found them to be extreamly frigile for a contained setting. They are large preditors and need all the room you can give them. I'd go with a 200g or more for a bass. The sunfish I've kept range from a small Warmouth to large Redbreasted sunfish. They love live prey (especially night crawlers) and they have very deep personalities. I had one that was so tame, he used to come and eat out of my hand. Very fun fish to have, but again.. you need a tank to accomidate them. Good luck!