Bass and bluegill tanks?

fishyman45

fishyman45

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Jul 3, 2005
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Im not sure if this is where this goes, but its kinda hard to tell where.

So at my school, we set up an 80 gallon tank filled with rocks and driftwood. We then caught wild smallmouth bass, red breasted sunfish, bluegill, and crayfish. The crayfish we can feed. But what can i feed the rest during the winter? When wild smaller fish are scarce and worms are out of season.

ideas? Suggestions? :sim:
 
I'm not versed in this at all.... I don't even know if that is the correct size tank for these fish, what will be done at the end of the sachool year?

I suppose you can go to a bait shop for food...
 
just make sure not to release them when they get too big, or at the end of the schoolyear! I don't know if that's just fish that have been exposed to other non-native fish in the aquarium, but once fish have been in an aquarium setting, they are possibly carrying exotic diseases that native waterways can't deal with. I don't know if that's true in this case or not, but just warning ya.

yes, those fish would get too big for that tank, IF the school planned on keeping them until maturity. Max size for bluegill is about 12 inches, redbreast sunfish about 7 inches, and smallmouth bass a whopping 2 feet! I'm kinda guessing that the teacher planned on just releasing them once they got too big, though. Which I'm going out on a limb to say should not be done? :hang:
 
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Well its more of a giant bucket, or tub. It is about 4 feet across in a circle, and 2 feet or so deep. So they'll be fine. And they're not mixed with any tropical fish, and are all from the same body of water. But I discovered they like corn and worms. :hi:
 
What exactly do you mean when you say that they will be fine?
 
?

If it is filled ALL THE WAY to 2 ft, thats 188 gallons. Therefor, at 1 ft it is about 94 gal. A smallmouth bass needs 200-250 gallons to exist in stability. It may look like they have plenty of room now, but think about bass and other lakefish in the wild. They usually have WAYYYYYYY more room and have been living like that for centuries. Also, most tanks with lakefish, unless looked over with constant vigilance, end up looking very nasy (the fish need enough room not to kill themselves w/ammonia and such too). Bringing me to my question: How are you filtering the tub?

Sorry if I sounded mean, I just don't want any fish to be harmed.

Oh, and can anyone who know cichlid species well help me out?
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83312
 
Does your teacher/administrating official even know if what they are doing is legal? Do they know the legality of re-releasing them into the wild(regardless of weather or not they are kept with fish from thier own biotope?) Why doesn't your teacher/amdin know how to care for a creature they have decided to take into thier care?

Your first post is vague in the numbers and size of animals being kept. It seems your shcool would be better off seeing if the people who advocated this project can survive a gunshot to the head. Feel free to print this and show it to them. Beter yet, show your OP to the SPCA. Why dont they try catching some wild wolves or coyotes, 5 would be good, and keep them in the closet and feed them raw hamburger for the school year?

This isnt meant to be a personal attack at you fishyman, but an attestment to the stupidity of those trying to "teach" you. Dont mean to offend you, but you really should point them to this thread.
 
onelivewire said:
If it is filled ALL THE WAY to 2 ft, thats 188 gallons. Therefor, at 1 ft it is about 94 gal. A smallmouth bass needs 200-250 gallons to exist in stability. It may look like they have plenty of room now, but think about bass and other lakefish in the wild. They usually have WAYYYYYYY more room and have been living like that for centuries. Also, most tanks with lakefish, unless looked over with constant vigilance, end up looking very nasy (the fish need enough room not to kill themselves w/ammonia and such too). Bringing me to my question: How are you filtering the tub?

Sorry if I sounded mean, I just don't want any fish to be harmed.

Oh, and can anyone who know cichlid species well help me out?
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83312
Click to expand...
that 200-250 quote is not true. I have a friend with a largemouth bass in a 45 gallon tank, he hardly ever changes the water, and has a cheap walmart filter. The fish has lived in this environment for almost two years, and is doing really well. The fish is fed worms, bugs, and golfish. The fish displays very good markings, and is very active. He is only about 9-10 inches, and doesnt really grow much as he has grow to his ideal size for his environment
 
If by "growing to the ideal size for its enviroment" you mean being stunted, than yes, that's the case.
 
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