Could I raise Arapaima in my pond?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
vipercaleb1 said:
Thanks again!
Ohkay so I should've clarified that the flatheads eating all the other fish was fine, because the flats got to be "big." And when we moved here, I started feeding them and the bass/bluegill/crappie started flourishing again.
That's why I was initially thinking I would restock the flatheads. But then I started doing some research and thought it would be super cool if I could raise a Nessie (the big 5ft flathead) replacement, and the arapaima was my first thought. I looked at some others, and maybe a Beluga or white sturgeon would be much better? Or is it not cold enough you think? I don't have enough money to go with all those fish, and I'm a bit scared as they might eat other/the bass in the pond already might. I'm deffinitely going to get some logs and try to make a small pond for frogs! ^_^ A beluga would be more than a "worthy" Nessie replacement as it grows, I'm sure. But Idk... I may just be dreaming =P
Click to expand...
A good Nessie would be just one of each of the following plus a bunch of smaller fish:
1 flathead catfish (or blue)
And 1 alligator gar.

Keeping just one of a species helps the fish get bigger because they don't spend energy competing for resources or breeding.
 
vipercaleb1 said:
Thanks again!
Ohkay so I should've clarified that the flatheads eating all the other fish was fine, because the flats got to be "big." And when we moved here, I started feeding them and the bass/bluegill/crappie started flourishing again.
That's why I was initially thinking I would restock the flatheads. But then I started doing some research and thought it would be super cool if I could raise a Nessie (the big 5ft flathead) replacement, and the arapaima was my first thought. I looked at some others, and maybe a Beluga or white sturgeon would be much better? Or is it not cold enough you think? I don't have enough money to go with all those fish, and I'm a bit scared as they might eat other/the bass in the pond already might. I'm deffinitely going to get some logs and try to make a small pond for frogs! ^_^ A beluga would be more than a "worthy" Nessie replacement as it grows, I'm sure. But Idk... I may just be dreaming =P
Click to expand...
A good Nessie would be just one of each of the following plus a bunch of smaller fish:
1 flathead catfish (or blue)
And 1 alligator gar.

Keeping just one of a species helps the fish get bigger because they don't spend energy competing for resources or breeding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vipercaleb1
So after I get the aeration system installed and running for about a week or so, I can get a gator+flathead+sturgeon and some other smaller fish like you were reccomending earlier and just put them in? And then feed them using high-protein pellets or chicken pieces or something?

Also just to clarify, the gator won't attack the swimmers, right? (they look scary and I heard stories of attacks, but I think the attacks were due to people swimming in spawn/nesting areas, which wouldn't be a problem here since having only one)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deadliestviper7
The gars will not attack you unless your silvery or fishy lol. Sturgeon is a great choice IMO. I love the freakin fish lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deadliestviper7 and vipercaleb1
vipercaleb1 said:
So after I get the aeration system installed and running for about a week or so, I can get a gator+flathead+sturgeon and some other smaller fish like you were reccomending earlier and just put them in? And then feed them using high-protein pellets or chicken pieces or something?

Also just to clarify, the gator won't attack the swimmers, right? (they look scary and I heard stories of attacks, but I think the attacks were due to people swimming in spawn/nesting areas, which wouldn't be a problem here since having only one)
Click to expand...
They really don't attack people, and you should hand feed them while swimming
 
  • Like
Reactions: vipercaleb1
Just keep In Mind that sturgeon can't digest most pellets, they can't digest plant matter which means they should be fed a mixed diet of fish, shrimp,crayfish, earthworms etc
 
  • Like
Reactions: vipercaleb1
Oh hand feed the gars? That sounds so cool! ^_^
What kind of Gar and what kind of Sturgeon should I get? And do you think 2 of each is good? (I know you guys recommended to have only one of them so that those would grow big)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deadliestviper7
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom