You fish them and you think they are ugly ? Man, you are definitly entitled to your opinion, but dont know many people that would agree with you.
Today I got ahold of a guy that has raised them in tanks, he had a 300g, after 3 years they reached 18 inches. Muskies will outgrow a tank this size, but takes years, and depends how much you feed. 18 inches is not to long for my 8 foot tank. Muskies diet consists mainly of minnows, and minnows are dirt cheap. I talked to a co-worker that has a 3 acre stocked pond, has said hed take them.
He stated theyll be very healthy for his fish population. Anyway, if he decides he doesnt want them, it is legal in the state of Missouri to realease the fish into any lake or stream that the species already inhabits.The Mississippi River, being pretty close would probably be my choice, and there is a few others.
Another thing, I live in Missouri and the Conservation Department has had great success stocking them in various areas around the state becuase they are a very adaptable, durable species. Theyve moved to Muskellunge after failing with Northern Pike. Northern Pike cannot handle the warmer water temperatures here but the musky can. Both are from the same family as are Pike cichlids, and Pike cichlids are some of the toughest cichlids around.
Ive had pike cichlids in the past, basically when it comes to this species, put them in water, and theyll live. Very versatile fish that will even breed in various water perameters. I hardly think very specific water perameters will be an issue.