Hey all I wondering what in your opinion is the best feeders for native fish. I have two Redfins now and I plan on getting a chain or northern once my DIY tank is finished. I try to keep my selection to fish that are only native to their natural habitat. Right now I feed mainly fathead minnows also called rosy reds (same fish species however some hatcheries have bred for the red gene) also small crayfish from time to time. My main concern is I have read conflicting reports of using fatheads as a staple of their deit. Some say it's great others say they are to high in fat. Another option which I have not done is tadpoles. I would think that they would be high in some very essential nutrients. Frog's are a staple of many fish diets so one would think tadpoles would be of the same benefit in the aquarium setting. All my feeders of course go in a q/tank for three weeks prior to consumption. I keep all my feeders on a healthy deit alternative the foods they receive daily to maximize nutritional value. They say you are what you each, so what is everyone's thoughts and or suggestions?
Feeder selection for Native fish
- Thread starter OhioMFK
- Start date
Fat heads can be high in fat. I would vary the diet with other dace species. Some are quite easy to breed. Amphibians can make good supplements. Personally I would seine or trap my own depending on your laws to get a cheap easy variety of native prey since that is what you are trying for anyhow. Fat heads or smelt are easy bait available in winter to get you by. There is nothing wrong with training on prepared foods to ensure proper nutrition
Good to know. I will most definitely have to get the breeder tank up and running again. I've tried going to prepared foods with no luck. I am considering perhaps crickets maybe a good supplemental food source as well. I know it can be easily done for other natives however i have never heard it attempted with pickerel. Next trip to LFS i will get some and try it.
pickerel are certainly one of the more challenging species to train on prepared foods. It can take quite some time. When you see that he has identified a favorite, try pre-killing one and offering it with a pair of tweezers or tongs to give it a bit of movement. You will most likely need to starve the pickerel beforehand in order to get him really wanting it. For sake of variety, suckers are a favorite food of esox species, and in late spring and summer it is easy to catch dozens of small YOY suckers in small rivers and tributaries.