Largemouth Bass Death

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pelleeklund

pelleeklund

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
May 23, 2009
1,494
424
122
Pennsylvania
After fishing for a small enough largemouth bass and coming up short I decided to check out a local fish farm and try to pick one up. It worked, and today I brought home a 4 inch largemouth, for 3 bucks no less. My success was short lived though because now, a few short hours later, dude is dead. I plan on picking up another but before I do i'd like to make sure the new one doesn't die so if someone could tell me what I did wrong I would appreciate it. I'll try to explain everything.

1. he was packaged and lived in cold water.

2. I couldn't put him in my 220 because I have a mono who would have
loved to kill him. (See Picture Below) had to wait until the size was more
equal.

3. I put him in my growout/feeder tank which is 30 gallons, very clean but a
a toasty 80 degrees, and as I said he is a colder water fish.

4. I attempted to acclimate him to the temperature for around 15 minutes.

Does anyone know why he died? I'm assuming I didn't acclimate him long enough and that 80+ degrees is much too hot. Either that or he was pissed because the tank was so small. (the first 15 minutes he was in there he looked like an irridescent shark, bouncing off the glass in blind flight.) I'm wondering if I can pick up a larger bass, possibly a 6 or seven incher that would be to large for the mono to kill in the 220, but if thats not an option I plan on repeating this plan, hopefully more successfully. Any MFK expert knowledge would be helpful and very appreciated. (Also, after he died in the small tank I decided to see if the Pbass could/would eat him. Yes he could, saved me a sandwich bag.)

PBassEatBass.jpg
 
Definately didnt acclimate long enough. The bass coming out of an outdoor environment /fish farm are probably in 40-50 degree water. Especially in the northeast. The tank you are putting him in should not have a heater in it at ALL. 80 degree water put your fish in shock due to lower O2 levels and the extreme temp change.(Not sure why you are putting a LMB in a heated 80 degree tank) Thats like putting your peacock bass into ice water after 15 minutes !

Second a 30 gallon is wayyy to small for the size bass that you got.

To acclimate fish coming from extreme cold waters, I usually put them in a bucket with the water I collected them from in it. Put an airstone in it and let them acclimate overnight very slowly to room temperature. Then you can put them in your unheated (Room Temp) tank.

If you know they are cold water fish why the heck would you put them in a tropical tank ?

If you are gonna get another LMB have a coolwater tank setup for it. a 6-7 inch bass will require a 55 gallon or larger and will; quickly outgrow that. Coolwater fish require more oxygen and cooler temps to thrive.If you cant provide a coolwater environment, stick to your tropicals. (I have seen people mix cichlids and natives, but the temps need to still be in the low 70's


Sorry but people need to research before buying a fish. If you cant properly house a fish dont get it.Just one of those things that really bothers me. You asked for advice so there it is. Im pretty sure everyone on this Native forum will agree! If you have anymore questions pleaseee ask, BEFORE you kill another fish due to pure negligence
 
Wow I touched a nerve there pal. Settle down, you can't get so bent about one tiny dead fish man. Way worse things could happen in life that actually matter, save that energy for them. I'm sure there is a bunch of people who like to get all riled up and jump on the soapbox though, maybe you should just write this down in your journal and talk to them about it. I'm good without the condescending bull **** though bud so save it.
 
Im not riled up, at all. you were the one who asked for help, so I gave it. Most people on here are here because of their love and passion for fish and the fishkeeping hobby. If you dont care about "one tiny dead fish" well then dont come on here , tell us what you did and ask for advice. If you dont want real advice and opinions (which may be harsh at times :) ). Then I suggest you go to petsmart next time and gather all of their great wisdom

Keeping pet fish has the same responsibility as does keeping a cat or dog. We take them out of their natural habitat and are expected to care for them with the best of our ability. I understand stuff happens and thats fine. But if you are serious about fishkeeping, get sound advice and knowledge before trying to keep a fish.
Dont be offended by my comments, they are not a personal attack. Im just trying to help you out, so you have a successful native setup for your bass.
 
I don't care if you want to share your opinion, just don't come at me flexing the fish nerd ****. Also, respect my opinion that for three bucks i'll give it a whirl. For you that's wrong, for me, I don't care. Different strokes for different folks, we could argue over who's right all day or just accept that neither of us agree with each other. One thing is for sure im not here to get preached at. So try talking to me like a big person. Im asking a question to fellow fish keepers, I want advice, not to debate ethics. I sure as hell didn't want the fish to die, that **** just happened. I planned on feeding him and caring for him indefinitely until he died just a short while ago. Go ahead with your advice, save your ****.
 
The tank size is not the problem, a 4" could go in there for like 3-5 months so a few hours is nothing. The short acclimation was the problemo here, it should've been for a time of 1-2 weeks, a few degrees a day, you could've taken out the heater, thrown some cold water into the 30gal and acclimate him properly.
 
I gave you advice. And you call it fish nerd S****. As I said on this forum you will get advice and personal opinions by as you call "Fish Nerds"(Not sure why you are here if you feel that way about serious fish hobbyists) Anyways I will break it down for you then without any of my personal input.

LMB are coolwater fish they need temps between 50-low 70's (optimal)

They grow about as large as your peacock cichlid, so factor in that tank size

Your bass died due to inadequate acclimation

When transferring fish from very cold water, use the bubbler technique as I stated above

You cannot mix LMB and Peacocks due to the large difference in water temps

A 30 gallon is too small for a lmb for any length of time longer than a few months

Make sure that your tank has no heater in it and has good O2 exchanghe due to the fact coldwater fish need more o2 saturation

Hope that helps and good luck next time :)
 
Dude, thank you very much. That was perfect. I agree. What do you think would be an ideal temperature to keep both of my bass happy, if one exists. I believe the goldfish im keeping as feeders are similar to largemouths with temperature range so I can probably drop their tank down a good deal, but in the future when he moves up I will need to find the middle ground. Again, I thank you.
 
you can keep your goldfish /feeder tank at room temp . That would be perfect for the bass (unless of course he starts feasting on them)

you can attempt to keep both bass together at the 73-76 range and iyt shouldnt be a big problem. But peacocks can be prone to disease if kept too cold, they actually prefer the higher range of tropical temps like 78-82 (which would not be healthy for your lmb. Wouldnt recommend it but if you must try :)
 
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