Large or Small Mouth Bass

[phil_ip]

Which would be better in a 125 gallon, A Large or Small Mouth Bass. Or is this aquarium to smaal for either of them. Are they shoaling fish or single fish. And can they be fed pelllets, I understand it can be hard to train them to eat pellets. What temp. do they need. Last question, how big do they get, and are they messy.

[pinballqueen]

Any coldwater fish is messy, and bass are no exception to this rule. Both species can top out between 12-18 inches (maybe a little larger), with a largemouth getting a little heavier due to body shape.
125 gallons would be okay for either, I would think, as long as it was a single-fish tank (which it will be anyhow, since both species will eat whatever will fit into their rather ample mouths.).
These guys tend to hang out either singly or in small groups, so keeping one alone isn't a big deal. If you get them very young, you should be able to train them to pellets or frozen food, however, an older fish will be difficult to get away from live feeders.
They like very cool water, in the low-to-mid 60's, but they can adapt to low 70's with no real problems. Higher temps will really bother them, though, so a tank in a cool place, like your basement, would be the best situation if you don't want to invest in a chiller. The main problem with the warmer temps is the fact that they are messy, and are even messier if they are more active. You'll be plagued with ammonia issues if you keep these beauties in 75 degrees...
Bass are really a great fish, if you have the resources and time to deal with them. Just be sure you NEVER release the fish back into the wild if you decide they're not for you. My advice is do LOTS of research before you buy or catch one (always being sure you're not doing something unlawful), just to make sure the species is for you before you are faced with having to place it in another home, a neighbor's pond (with permission, of course), buying a bigger tank, or having to euthanize it....of course, bass are awfully nice on a dinnerplate (although I don't think I could eat a pet, personally...)

Good luck, and sorry for the long boring post...:D

Hope this helps.

[Stephen]

One more thing to keep in mind is to cover the tank you're keeping it in. I'd even go as far as blacking it out except where you lighting enters. Bass are jumpers. Both types. The smallmouth being better at it. A bug or something that looks edible above the tank could end with the fish on the floor.

Another note. Largemouth like ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams. They also can tolerate higher temps than smallmouth.

Smallmouths generally live in clear cool slow to fast moving water and are the more attractive of the two. They like current, so that would be a must. And they are the smaller of the two.

With your tank size I'd say go with the smallmouth. But in my opinion I still feel the tank size is pushing it a bit. Bigger is always better when dealing with a large fish.

Either way you decide remember that it's best to start with a small specimen. Spring is perfect for collecting them. The fish is going to be around for a while too. So keep that in mind. Both species don't mature until they are a few years old and they live much longer. It's going to be a big committment. Feeding a large bass of either type could get very very expensive.

They do make great tankbusters though. They will recognize you when you're in the room and churn up the water at the top begging for food. I've even heard stories of people hand feeding these guys.

The most important factors however has already been mentioned. MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE that you can legally posses any native fish in your home aquarium. And last but not least. NEVER EVER release the fish back into a local natural environment.

[phil_ip]

How big do rock bass get, are they a better choice?

[pinballqueen]

All of the bass breeds are about the same dimensions, with the exception of striped bass, which are VERY large (and not a good choice because they are a migratory brackish fish...). Any bass is going to be about equal, all things considered. Rock bass like a little cooler water, and I'm pretty sure they get bigger than a smallie does.

The Petersen Field Guide series of books is a great place to start when researching native species, as it gives very detailed descriptions of diet, habitat, size, etc. I've used their bird books for years in birdwatching and identification. Maybe it can help you in your decision of "which fish"... They probably have a copy at your local library; if not, the books are not too expensive... really great photos and illustrations in those things...

(I'm not trying to run you off or anything, I am just offering some more information that is WAY too long for me to cut-and-paste in here...)

[socom]

rock bass do not get bigger than smallmouth. ive caught smallmouth in the 5# range. rockbass are aggresive and are good in a tank your size. id try 3-5 of them. go with a natural gravel and rocks and driftwood for decor. i had a rock bass and he loved worms and feeders. also enjoyed a frog:D

[JeffP]

Rock bass are "pan fish" along with bluegills, sunfish, etc. Both smallmouth and largemouth get considerably larger. I haven't been fishing lately, but I think 1 lb rock bass are "monsters."

[Chinese Star]

Largemouth bass and Smallmouths are not easy to take care of in an aquarium. First off the Northern Large mouth is the smallest between that and the Florida strain and it can exceed 14 pounds or more. The smallmouth is no exception. Also, you will have to get a water cooler for them because Northern Large mouths and Smallmouths I believe go through a type of hybernation in winter which is required for their survival. Also both will need massive amounts of food right before. I suggest sticking with the small Sunfishes. They can live in multiple waters from Florida to Canada and are active all year.

By the way, the world record for the Smallmouth is about 22 pounds and both the Large Mouth and Smallmouth are in the Sunfish family. Just clearing up the confusion.

[FishmasteR2002]

Largemouth bass(and smallmouth sometimes) can get huge. A 7 pound fish can easily be 20" to 25". If you want to keep one, either fish would be fine. Bass only grow as large as their environment will let them. I also do not recommend feeding him pellets either. Just feed him bait. If you get it when it is smaller feed it worms. 2 to 3 worms a day should be fine. When it gets older feed it worms and bait minnows or feeder goldfish. Feeder guppies could do well for yearling bass. Also you have to remember that largemouth(smallmouth), actually I think all bass, live a long time. A yearling bass will only measure at most 9" to 10". That's pretty big for a fish that is only a year old. It also depends on where the fish came from(around where you live?). Like stated earlier northern largemouth are smaller than their southern cousins. It is the exact opposite for smallmouth. As you get further south, largemouth increase in size, with southern states having some of the largest recorded catches. Smallmouth as I said before are the exact opposite. A 2 pound smallmouth in Tennesee is citation. The record for smallmouth is 22 pounds, most likely caught in a northern state. This information is from my personal experiences and from what I have collected as a fisherman. I hope this helps you decide. I would personally go with a largemouth because I think they are cooler looking, especially when they eat.

[damion]

Does anyone know if game fish can be legally kept in a aquarium?

[Chinese Star]

You can buy them so I don't think it would be illegal.

[damion]

Ok, didn't know they can be purchased. Thanks

[Chinese Star]

Yeah you can buy them at hatcherys I think, ones that stock ponds. I know you can buy some different types of sunfish at baitshops.

[smallmouth]

I'm new at keeping fish, but not new to bass or bass fishing. I am looking to learn how to keep smallmouth and found this site.

The sizes of smallmouth listed in this thread are completely wrong! The record smallmouth bass is 11 lb 15 oz. The record largemouth is 22 lb (& change). Smallmouth get larger in KY & TN than the northern states as this is about the southern edge of their range and they achieve higher growth rates in these states. Bass do NOT have to go through a winter hibernation (or anything like that) as mentioned in one of the posts.

I'm looking to learn, but wondering about the accuracy of the information given how bad some of the posts are in this thread.

[Galaxie]

I think a channel cat would be a better pet for a 125g aquarium, since it is a more complacent type fish.....or a few bluegills/sunfish (If you are simply looking for a native fish.) I can't imagine either a largemouth or smallmouth happy in that sort of isolation.

[Flowerhorn916]

Bass get huge fast I love fishing for them here are a few pics

http://www.calfishing.com/gallery/1

I suggest not putting them in a tank especially not a smallie there not very hardy and need cold water LMB however like warmer water if you want a cool bass get a peacock bass and some red tail catfish!

[msouth468]

Your probably going to need a permit to own a game fish. But if I were you I wouldn't do it. Bass move, constantly, and the fish will most likely swim back and fourth. When the fish gets bigger the swooshing cause from the tail when the fish turns to head the other way can over time weaken the corners of the tank (I learned that from a fish store owner that had a large fish in a 200 gallon aquarium). Also, Largemouth Bass can seem pretty hardy but they are suceptable to slight chemical changes. Plus, they actually somewhat "hibernate" during the winter, and can die if their body goes into hibernation and the temp isn't at the proper temp.

[graysilm]

whoever said 125 gal would be good for a bass as long as it was a single fish is wrong. I have a friend who has had a single large mouth bass in a 45 gallon aquarium for over a year, and the fish is doing just great.

[Galaxie]

whoever said 125 gal would be good for a bass as long as it was a single fish is wrong. I have a friend who has had a single large mouth bass in a 45 gallon aquarium for over a year, and the fish is doing just great.

How large is this bass? 45g isn't enough for my oscar who maxes out at about 12 inches. How can it be acceptable for a fish that can weigh up to 20 lbs? I don't think even a bluegill would be happy in less than 75 gallons.

[msouth468]

How large is this bass? 45g isn't enough for my oscar who maxes out at about 12 inches. How can it be acceptable for a fish that can weigh up to 20 lbs? I don't think even a bluegill would be happy in less than 75 gallons.


Well, all that is a matter of opinion. If you have ever went to a Cabela's or Bass Pro shop you can notice the behavior of certain species of game fish. The Bass are usually stationary. While certain catfish are very activly swimming about. Given this isn't thier natural enviroment you can kinda get an idea on what their behavior is gonna be in an aquarium and whether or not they are going to need a large tank or not.

[graysilm]

How large is this bass? 45g isn't enough for my oscar who maxes out at about 12 inches. How can it be acceptable for a fish that can weigh up to 20 lbs? I don't think even a bluegill would be happy in less than 75 gallons. The bass is about 12 inches, and he is very happy, and the tank is conditioned with stable, acceptable water parameters.

[jason2894]

well channel cats can get very large also i have seen them reaching 18" in a home aquarium. your best bet in my opinion would be to go with some panfish like a bluegill or two maybe a rock bass(very territorial) if u want a nice cleanup fish a yellow bellied bullhead very nice looking fish and will probably max out about 10 to 12". i had a bluegill my daughter caught for about 2 years the heater i had in the tank to maintain the temp went bad and cooked rocky. i would never use another heater for panfish as they dont require it they can do ok in cooler water 50 to 80 degrees thats a pretty wide span. i mean they are cool fish and bluegills will get quite large. i dunno where ur at but yellow perch make nice pets they need somewhat cooler water i would say no more than 75. again not knowing ur local makes it hard to suggest more exotic natives but. first and foremost u need to make sure its legal for the average hobbyist to keep natives as pets or if a special permit is required by the state in which u live. if your dead set on keeping bass i would say that a smallmouth is going to be your best bet. remember smallies as well as largemouths eat alot and small fish is a main staple in thier diet along with insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, invertabrates such as earthworms,they are opportunistic feeders always lookin for the easy meal. but seriously i wouldnt suggest trying to keep a bass in anything less than a 250 gallon tank u have to fair to the fish also.

[managuay86]

ok basic info largemouth bass can tolerate water temp from 58-85 degrees, a lot higher than low 70's. since most largemouths came from florida and their water in the summer time can exceed 80 degrees. The only problem with this temp is that they are very active and are always hungry, it involves metabolism, in short the warmer it is the more they eat, if the water temp drops below 54 they shut down and anyfood they eat goes undigested which will lead to health problems, favorite foods are small fish, crustacians, and insects (when smaller). Since they are predators it will be very hard for them to accept pellots, if ur lucky they might take freeze-dried foods. They prefer slow moving rivers, lakes or ponds with heavy aquatic vegitation. The smallmouth requires streams and rivers that are clear and cool. the temp needs to be from 52-75 with 75-77 being the highest! they do grow a little smaller than largemouth bass but they are way more aggressive. Small mouth bass are predators too and will eat the same things as the largemouths.