I have 4 baby bluegill and a tadpole in a 55 gal. my water is 70 to 73 degrees. well 55 is huge for what I got, but I don't want to over stock in the future. so more blue gill is out, thinking of getting a baby catfish if i can one small enouph, maybe wait till they are bigger. I'm thinking of maybe a few neons, but not sure if they'd be safe for the blue gill to eat later. maybe some guppies? anyone got other suggestions? I'm thinking of getting a few kohla loach anyway.
Friends/future feeders for my bluegill
- Thread starter rascalsweet
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You could keep one of the larger madtoms, like margined or stonecat. These woud be big enough that the bluegill would ignore it, but small enough so as not to add too much to your bioload.
As for tank mates, why not go all native? There are many interesting shiners and killiish that would work quite nicely, especially while the sunnies are small.
As for tank mates, why not go all native? There are many interesting shiners and killiish that would work quite nicely, especially while the sunnies are small.
I know you guys aren't gonna' like this,but iv'e seen all bio-load guidelines thrown out the window,due to over-filtration of course,but you can go a little over in stocking numbers,just watch your water paramaters,with adequate water changes you can do it.So if there not crowding eachother then go for it,get a U.V. sterilizer,make shure the G.P.H. of your filters turns your tank over AT LEAST 10 times an hour.
Largemouthbadbass;568216; said:I know you guys aren't gonna' like this,but iv'e seen all bio-load guidelines thrown out the window,due to over-filtration of course,but you can go a little over in stocking numbers,just watch your water paramaters,with adequate water changes you can do it.So if there not crowding eachother then go for it,get a U.V. sterilizer,make shure the G.P.H. of your filters turns your tank over AT LEAST 10 times an hour.
Have to agree, I have a 55 that has 700 gallons per hour of filtration. It is stocked to the hilt, with shiners and darters. It has a drip system, and does a 5 gallon per day change.
Granted Sandtiger is 100% correct, If you filter your 55 with a filter that is rated for 55 gallons, then your bluegills will probably overtax the system, but you can up the filtration without creating a current that would be uncomfortable for them.
I'll even take it a step further and say you can over stock a 55 gallon tank with just UGF and a HOB filterbox as long as you practice +%50 water changes every week or every other week. Lots of maintenance but the fish will remain healthy as long they don't fight too much and the water is changed often.