Freshwater Maryland themed tank

[ravenpb226]

Well I took down my 10 gallon shrimp/snail tank and I have a spare 40 breeder I was thinking of making a saltwater tank but don't have the money for that right now and won't for awhile.

Instead of saltwater I've decided to make a Freshwater MD theme tank. Definitely a bit cheaper since I've got crap tons of places to toss a casting net. The real question is does anyone have any experience with Bluegill in aquaria? I'd love one or 2 to be the centerpiece fish and some small fish to swim around too. Out of the list wiki has for freshwater fish in MD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_freshwater_fishes_of_Maryland has anyone dealt with any of the killi, perch, minnows, or other fish I may be overlooking?

Also any other ideas are welcome

 

[SubRosa]

I've kept a few of the fish on the list. Yellow Perch get too big for a 40, are highly piscivorous and eat any fish they can swallow. But they are actually very peaceful. Rosysided Dace are a nice fish as are the Sheepsheads although I would hesitate to call a Sheepshead a freshwater fish. Fatheads have interesting breeding behaviour for a minnow but they're not much to look at. I wasn't aware that Lucania parva got that far north but they're very nice as well. The winner on the list imo is one that I haven't kept yet but will, the Greensided Darter. Darters are all very interesting from a behavioural standpoint, but a male Greenside in breeding dress needs no explanations!

 

[ravenpb226]

I was looking at the fantail darters and didn't even see the greenside darters on the list. I'll have to see what I pull up in the casting net when I go out and hopefully get one.

 

[SubRosa]

Seining is the best way to catch Darters since they tend to hug the bottom. Cast nets work better for mid and topwater schoolers but if it's what you got use it.

 

[ravenpb226]

Going out tomorrow/this morning at 6 to fish and throw out a minnow trap and see what I get