View Full Version : 55 Gallon Native
Chad55
07-15-2005, 6:17 PM
What kind of fish native to say Michigan could you keep in a 55 Gallon? I have heard of Pumpkinseed Sunfish but can't find any around here. Any thoughts?
Blue gill are cool. Its fun to watch em rip into crickets.
Heres mine:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b335/magic265265/100_0265.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b335/magic265265/100_0266.jpg
Chad55
07-15-2005, 11:19 PM
I was thinking about that but I also want something that has a little bit of color. How many could u keep in it?
Chad55
07-15-2005, 11:21 PM
By the way ur bluegill seems pretty sweet i would like to see more pictures and how big is it?
My blue gill is about 4", i think most of the other sunfish/panfish have more color than blue gill. For color i probably would recommend a different sunfish. Maybe 2 or 3 in a 55... Im not sure. U could probably keep other things with em, mines very peaceful except to fish it can fit in its mouth. Heres another pic:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b335/magic265265/100_0267.jpg
U can see some cricket parts floating around it :grinyes:
reefman
07-16-2005, 11:09 PM
get a pertch or a bass there aggresion is fun to watch
ShadowVengance
07-17-2005, 6:08 PM
Rock bass are probably the most aggressive fish youll find native to here. I've gotten bitten a couple times when swimming. Ive kept a couple of 3-4"ers for a week or so.
sabotage
07-17-2005, 6:27 PM
gorgeous!!!
sandtiger
07-18-2005, 11:25 PM
YOu could try doing some research on what you have around that area. Here is a good start...
http://www.rbff-education.org/cgi-bin/search/rbff.cgi?ID=1073261437
I recommend the rock bass, they are both pretty and interesting and should not outgrow a 55g. I would not recommend something like a bass as they will outgrow that tank. If you cannot find any wild fish then perhaps you can find a hatchery that sells them nearby or maybe you could bye one online.
http://jonahsaquarium.com/fishlist.htm#north%20american
Good luck and enjoy whatever fish you get, natives are great.
nativelover
07-19-2005, 1:49 AM
a few shellcrackers (redear sunfish) and eaither madtoms or a bullhead cat. ive got a green sunfish, or a regular bluegill (cant tell at its size) and a shellcracker both 4inches with my 12" oscar.
blacktip
07-19-2005, 1:59 AM
When I lived in Washington, I always thought about keeping perch in an aquarium. We used to catch perch and crappie from the same area. I think they would be quite complimentary. Haven't seen too much documentation from people who have done this, but I think it would be cool.
A smallmouth bass would be cool, too, but it would certainly outgrow the 55.
When I lived in Washington, I always thought about keeping perch in an aquarium. We used to catch perch and crappie from the same area. I think they would be quite complimentary. Haven't seen too much documentation from people who have done this, but I think it would be cool.
A smallmouth bass would be cool, too, but it would certainly outgrow the 55.
Small crappie need small food, yellow perch are easy, love eartworms and crickets and acclimate to pellets well.
magic
07-20-2005, 12:28 PM
perch are easy to care for. a friend of mine kept 1 in a 10 gal for a long time and really liked it.
Lots of choices including some really colorful darters ond shiners. check out a field guide to N.A. fish
papa burgandy
07-24-2005, 6:42 PM
if you want to stay in the panfish catagory you can try some pumpkinseeds. they are very colorful.
Chad55
07-24-2005, 7:49 PM
Thank you everybody for all of your suggestions! I will check them out.
fishyboi
07-24-2005, 7:55 PM
Cant you catch bluegills? because i do
bosshawg
07-30-2005, 10:42 PM
How many Rockbass would u put together in a 55g tank and what kind of setup would u go with?
engine49
08-22-2005, 2:20 AM
I'd go with a few bluegill
NeonTetraFan
08-22-2005, 4:57 AM
Bluegill are not hard to keep in the home aquarium, and do not need large tanks. I'd go with 3 bluegill. Make sure you plant it and get some large and small rocks. If you want to save money, GO FISHING!!!!
They also get quite colorful, esp. in late spring when the males get a bright yellow breast front.
sandtiger
08-22-2005, 1:33 PM
If you plan on keeping the fish for life I would recommend this...
Rockbass...only one. Think of them like coldwater oscars. Large, aggresive and messy.
Bluegill...probably only one for the same reason. Both these sunfish get very large.
Pumpkinseed...smallest of the three, maybe two or three of them in a 55.
There are many other smaller sunfish species as well such as longears, red brested, blue spotted and banded. For really small you could do a shoal of pygmy sunfish.
NeonTetraFan
08-22-2005, 1:38 PM
*chants in background: Bluegill, Bluegill, Bluegill* :D :D