Breeding Bluegill

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bfriz00

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 16, 2013
22
0
16
United States
So I have a 1000 gallon outdoor aboveground pool that I have stocked with 3 small catfish and about 20 bluegill. Any recommendations/advice on getting the bluegill to spawn once spring starts? Thanks a lot


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Feed them well and keep the water quality up. Is there any substrate on the bottom? Bluegill tend to build nest so the right substrate would be beneficial.
And your location would help with advise about temps and such.
 
I would use pool filter sand. Its available pretty much everywhere and for the size of your pond it would be one of the cheapest options.
You could mix it with small gravel. Or you could install some sort of divider and just put substrate on one side.
 
I used rocks as a substrate in my tank, large enough the fish couldn't move them, in the hopes not being able to build a nest would stop them from mating...
they don't care. they still perform the rituals. haven't seen any fry yet though. I'll be surprised if any survive that long though.
 
I've had great success with buckshot or pea gravel (1/4-3/8") obtainable from any garden supply center. The bluegill male will fan out a depression doing a tail stand. The gravel affords some measure of protection for the eggs as they fall between the gaps. I would put a rubbermaid-like container with some size to it in there (not a deep one) with about 4" of pea gravel. After the male coaxes a female into the nest area and spawns with her (and other females present), he will hover over it, guarding the spawn. I've used this successfully with several different species of sunfish. I think the trigger water temperature is around 74 F, at least for Longears.
 
I've spawned them indoors by using a divider into which holes are drilled big enough for the smaller female to pass through but too large for the male. The males get very aggressive with the females and will kill them if there is no way for the female to get out of harms way.
 
notho2000 said:
I've had great success with buckshot or pea gravel (1/4-3/8") obtainable from any garden supply center. The bluegill male will fan out a depression doing a tail stand. The gravel affords some measure of protection for the eggs as they fall between the gaps. I would put a rubbermaid-like container with some size to it in there (not a deep one) with about 4" of pea gravel. After the male coaxes a female into the nest area and spawns with her (and other females present), he will hover over it, guarding the spawn. I've used this successfully with several different species of sunfish. I think the trigger water temperature is around 74 F, at least for Longears.
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Cool idea to use the shallow tub to create a spawning site. This way you would not have to put substrate in the whole aquarium. Very nice
 
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