Bass Keeping 101(LMB/SMB)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

Rippin1tUp

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 29, 2009
13
0
0
Connecticut
Does anyone have any knowledge or info they can share on keeping a bass as a pet? Largemouth or smallmouth. Stories/Pictures are welcome as well...

I've kept a largemouth once before. I caught it during a bass tournament on the Connecticut river, it was small enough to be transported in a 20oz gaterade bottle to my 30 gal tank at home, which at the time was a happy-go-lucky community tank. Needless to say the fish population declined steadily to one, and I have never had a fish as exciting and aggressive as that LMB. Time went by and he grew rapidly. The average growth rate for a bass is 1-3 inches a year, but if kept in a warm tank with a steady supply of minnows, silversides, crayfish and inverts he was easily able to outgrow my 30 gal in less than a year. Ten months later I released the fish back to the CT river at nearly 12".

I recently caught a 4" Smallmouth Bass from a small stream and was wondering, other than replicating its natural food source and habitat, if there were any other precautionary steps to take in keeping this fish or if anyone else has tried keeping a smallmouth bass. I'm an avid bass fisherman and have done a great deal of study and research on bass biology. Smallmouths are a powerful fish with requirement for lots of room, cold, moving, and well oxygenated water that prefers sandy/gravel substrate with plenty of rocks for cover/shelter. I've got her eating minnows and feeders right and with no plans on trying pellets or other fish foods so I can release her as a self reliant fish.

Again anyone who has given bass keeping a shot, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks!
Mark

100_5157.jpg


(*Connecticut law states that bass of any size can be kept if taken from a river or stream, its not stated that you always have to eat them.
tongue.gif
)
 
Rippin1tUp;3107042; said:
Ten months later I released the fish back to the CT river at nearly 12".
Click to expand...


Just to warn you now, you might catch a lot of flack for doing that. It is against the law and on this site most people frown on it big time.

I understand you were just wanting the best for the fish since it outgrew your tank but just wanted to let you know some people may get a little upset and let you know.

Good luck with the new Bass.
 
Polish is right. Please do not release your fish. If and when it outgrows your tank, give it to a fishkeeper who can house it properly or euthanize it. Re-releasing fish to the wild is absolutely unacceptable. The possibility of transmitting new diseases or parasites to wild populations should be enough by itself to convince you.

That said, if you are willing to provide a large enough tank, big bass can be very rewarding captives. Smallies love crustaceans and feed heavily on crayfish in the wild; live small crayfish and ghost shrimp, as well as market shrimp, will be appreciated by your fish. Be sure to cover the tank securely, or the bass may decide to go 'carpet-surfing'.
 
Yeah its always better to give it away then to release it back into the wild. Its not hard to find it a home....I found my LMB a home in a matter of 2 hours on craigslist :ROFL: He went from a 75 gallon tank to a 300 Gallon tank....Lucky booger!
 
*Thanks guys, that was many years ago with the LMB, I now have a bigger tank and a private stocked bass pond for her later down the line.

I understand your concerns but there were a few bits of information I neglected to state previously. The largemouth was something I did in high school way before I became as educated, enthused and respectful in the hobby as I am today. I'm temporarily housing the bass in a 55gal(not a 30) and have the intention of releasing it into a friends private stocked bass pond which has a naturally existing population of minnows, frogs and of course crayfish(a staple in a smallmouth's diet). I know to keep this fish permanently I would need a substantially larger tank. 55gal won't ever cut it, personally anything less than a 300gal would be a prison for a full grow specimen, but this is juvenile and the tank is only temporary housing for the fish. I'm keeping her diet natural, the feeders and shiners were just incentive to make sure she's willing to eat, and she has taken a liking to the crayfish I had in tank.

My intention of posting this thread was to see if anyone else has taken on the challenge and responsibility of raising a LMB/SMB at home in their aquarium and to share the story or what they have learned.
 
Ive kept several bass in the past 1 other largemouth (then the 3 I have know) and 1 smallie. I have to say the smallie was my fav. Untill he hit the carpet because he didnt get feed one day.
 
SMB's are fun to watch.. include some pumps to add a current in the tank and a 55 should be good for a while! Hidings spots and aeration should be close to where you caught it. You know, real natural lookin. I would try to get it to eat other, less fatty foods than minnows and the like.. Definitely try worms or insects, or even crawfish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom