Curious about native fish

[darthodo]

I have kept Central American and African Cichlids now for some time. I'm wondering what the fasination is with keeping native fish in aquariums. I've read that many have decent personalities, much like some of my midas, trimacs and odos. So this is what I have so far as aquariums. I'd like to post an idea or two with these as I list them.

125 gallon (72x18x22) - Maybe one male largemouth bass (how do you sex these fish?). I've heard that males get smaller than females and a female would likely outgrow the tank too fast. Maybe a small catfish for a scavenger.

100 gallon (60x18x20) - A group of sunfish maybe. Some bream, longears, and the like. Maybe a crappie? A group of yellow perch and a Lepomis?

75 gallon (48x18x20) - I think a grass (redfin) pickeral or two would do okay here.

75 gallon (48x18x20) - A warmouth and maybe something else?

55 gallon (48X13X20) - Smaller Lepomis.

Okay, these tank are already well filtered and each filters the tank water at least 10 times per hour. I can probably just turn the heaters down to the low 70s I assume?

Do most of you feed prepared foods like cichlid pellets and flakes? I'm not into feeders, but I may use some that I maintain in a 10 gallon quaranteen tank if necessary. I also have a 20 long I can use to quaranteen newly caught fish.

Right now I'm mainly curious about going native. All these tanks currently have cichlids in them now.

 

[Nabbig2]

Well, I can say that even though you aren't feeders, native fish, like muskies and basses, etc., are going to do better with feeders. Pellets and bloodworms and stuff are good too, but feeders are better for natives, then they are for most cichlids.

 

[ewurm]

Well, I can say that even though you aren't feeders, native fish, like muskies and basses, etc., are going to do better with feeders. Pellets and bloodworms and stuff are good too, but feeders are better for natives, then they are for most cichlids.

I completely disagree with your stance on feeders. The issue is nutritional value, and most commonly available feeders have little. My natives eat mostly frozen foods and pellets. Hikari BioGold and Omega One are a staple, with frozen krill and bloodworms for some good protein in the diet.

 

[darthodo]

So is a male largemouth a possibility in a 125 or is the tank too small?

 

[ewurm]

I would do a minimum 24" x 72" for an adult, but it will take a long time to get there.

 

[drewish]

So is a male largemouth a possibility in a 125 or is the tank too small?

It is too small.

 

[teleost]

I agree with ewurm and drewish here.

Feeders won't be necessary in the long run but might be needed in the beginning.

LMB need massive amounts of space and to be honest.....they are possibly the most boring native you can keep. At least some of the other sedentary natives actually look cool whereas LMB get bland and never move.

 

[ewurm]

I agree with ewurm and drewish here.

Feeders won't be necessary in the long run but might be needed in the beginning.

LMB need massive amounts of space and to be honest.....they are possibly the most boring native you can keep. At least some of the other sedentary natives actually look cool whereas LMB get bland and never move.

I don't have that problem with mine. It's very sociable. Begs like an Oscar, and is constantly on the move.

 

[darthodo]

I wonder if the sex of the fish has something to do with it being personable?

 

[darthodo]

Oh yeah. I forgot to ask. What about a smallmouth bas in a 125? They don'y get as big and they have more color.