Bowfin

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leviathon13

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 23, 2005
175
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USA
I'm looking to get a young bowfin for a 55gal tank since I can no longe get snakeheads I figure this would be the next best thing. I realize this tank would be too small for an adult , i just want to get one well established and then move it to larger quarters as it grows. anyone know where I can get one? I had a couple of small ones *(2" or so) years ago and lost them both after a couple of months.any husbandry tips? :headbang2
 
First check your state laws, they are illegal a lot of places including Oregon, Dammit. Second check the sponsors in the buy and sell, and last check with Jonah's Aquarium as they say that they can order them in season.
 
We have them here in Michigan... (In our Lakes that is) I have never seen or cought them... We also have snakeheads...
 
They're fairly easy to take care of. I've got a young one in a 10 gallon by itself and its doing well. Feed them on bloodworms or krill. I started out with a group of 6, however I killed off 5 before I learned how to take care of them. They can go into a "stress shock" when they're young so make sure they have cover to hide in and don't do more than a 20% water change at a time. They can also be cannibalistic with their own kind. I have yet to put one with anything else other than other bowfin, so any tankmates are a bit of a gamble. They don't require a heater either...There's a guy on the board named Chip that I got mine from...I think his name is KSIAquatics.
 
A friend of mine has an 8" specimen and 11" specimen for sale, the 8" one is $20 (I bought one, lol :p ) but I'm not sure how much the 11" one is. If you'd like I can shoot him an email for ya. :)
 
BGG said:
A friend of mine has an 8" specimen and 11" specimen for sale, the 8" one is $20 (I bought one, lol :p ) but I'm not sure how much the 11" one is. If you'd like I can shoot him an email for ya. :)

if this guy dont pick it up i will!!!! :grinno: :thumbsup:
 
LOL! My friend's in Illinois too, so maybe you can avoid shipping costs. :D But, the 8" specimen is sold... I bought it. :D He still has the 11"er though.
 
a bowfin, huh?? as they are rather drab, you are wanting one because of the "unusual" factor i take it? i caught one here in michigan once, was about 17 inches long... also saw one in a lake near me that was alot bigger!
 
Nate_N_Nicole said:
We have them here in Michigan... (In our Lakes that is) I have never seen or cought them... We also have snakeheads...

I'm not aware of Snakeheads yet in Michigan.

As for obtaining one go with the above acclimated fish From BGG's friend or KSIaquatics. Young bowfin can actually be tricky to keep and an acclimated fish is best.
 
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