Can fish live in a Water Barrel?

[Wulfonce]

I've been having a really bad mosquito problem every year since I started collecting rain water in a 55g plastic water barrel. I've tried sealing it but they still get at the water somehow. Then I started thinking. Could feeder comets (goldfish) live in the barrel during the summer months? I don't see what not. Its not to cold and they could live primarily on mosquito larva and algae. The water changes happen automatically to.

What do you think?

 

[Etan]

Why not just use mosquitofish?

 

[ziggy2]

You would have to airate it.

 

[Wulfonce]

Why not just use mosquitofish?

I've never heard of a mosquito fish before. I probably can't get them for $0.09 a piece though?

 

[Wulfonce]

You would have to airate it.

Your probably right, I didn't think of that.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Why not use red rosy minnows or feeder guppies, they don't get large than comet goldfish.

 

[Veil-o's]

I've never heard of a mosquito fish before. I probably can't get them for $0.09 a piece though?

Actually you can get them for free. Most cities have a malaria prevention program, and you can call the local water companies for information on obtaining mosquito fish.

Mosquito fish are extremely hardy and can thrive in a number of conditions. An example would be a pond we have at my work that is completely unfiltered and stagnant.

Good luck!

 

[brockfishhawk]

Wow that is really cool. I wonder how invasive these little misquito fish could end up being though. I can see a bunch of people getting them and releasing them everywhere.

 

[Etan]

They are already native species to the united states. A few years back the house next door to ours was vacant for a long time and they had a pool. The pool had a couple feet of stagnant water that turned into a massive mosquito farm. The city came out and put a bunch of these fish in there and sure enough the mosquito problem was gone in no time.

 

[Guppy's_Hell]

Yes you can. Prized goldfish in parts of Asia are kept in ceramic bowls. Making them only visible from above, like in a barrel. You don't need to airate it either... just make sure it not in direct sunlight... maybe add some kind off Lilly plant for shade... not sure if the water will stay good without changes though...

Also those mosquito fish look loss like big plain ugly guppies... you could put a male and or a few beta fish in there.... they eat up mosquitoes like no ones business.