Largemouth help...

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EvilMonkey666

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 11, 2005
68
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55
CT
:) I have a largemouth I caught when he was about 4-5 inches or so last summer. Well, now "Baby" is not so baby anymore. He is about 8-9 inches and a glutton. It seems he is on a growth spurt and he's not going to last long in his tank at the rate he is going. This is my problem... obviously he is going to need a bigger tank..he's in a 55 right now by himself. I'm having trouble finding different sizes they attain. Some books say 2 lbs and others 5 lbs( they never mention length or height)..I have seen some pics of trophy largemouth:eek: , but will he really get that big in a tank? The bottom line, if anyone knows, is what size tank will he need to fit him for life? I really need to start working on this because I dont want to keep investing in tanks "as he grows" for obvious monetary reasons, and I am not releasing him as he is a part of my family at this point. I just want one set up and done deal. If anyone has any suggestions and/or pics of set ups with specs, I would be greatful. Thanks! :headbang2
 
Is it a northern strain largemouth or southern? The sub-species from the south grows much larger. I doubt you would ever find a northern largemouth with a weight of 20 pounds, more like 14.
 
I really dont know what strain he is. I caught him in the filthy Connecticut river up here in CT (obviously), so maybe he is a northern strain? I dont know...I bought a book on largemouth bass (the only info I could find), it was all fishing related but did tell of some of different sizes and growth rates as far as warmer water verses coldwater growth rates are concerned, but the pics of the bass referenced look exactly the same with no detail as to what species they were. I am hoping he is a northern bass!!
 
It probably is the northern sub-species. The northern is known as Micropterus salmoides salmoides and the southern as Micropterus salmoides floridanus. The state record LMB for Connecticut was 12 lbs 14 oz. It was caught by Frank Domurat in 1961 at Mashapaug Pond. That should at least give you an idea of what size tank you might need.
 
;) Thanks for the insight. It's much appreciated. My plan is to move out all my smaller tanks to another room and have an acrylic one (since its lighter then glass) custom made for him so that he can have the benefit of all the room he may need. I'm thinking of more width and length verses depth since he seems quite happy just lounging in one area (staring at me in bed waiting for a snack) and he doesnt move much unless you toss something in the tank and forget it. I will do some research into what I need.

oh and he eats fish pellets!!! He just loves Hikari Gold! I just had to mention that because I'm not sure of many largemouths who eat fish pellets!!!
 
sandtiger said:
Is it a northern strain largemouth or southern? The sub-species from the south grows much larger. I doubt you would ever find a northern largemouth with a weight of 20 pounds, more like 14.
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Even a 14lbs northern lm is rare. I wouldnt expect it to gorw more than 8lbs in an aquarium, with a length of about 24." Any lm over 10lbs is considered a trophy by most fishermen, and in states w/ the northern strain, a 5 pounder is a trophy.
 
Here in colorado, even 18" lm bass are hard to come by. I have a lm and a sm now, and at the rate they are growing now, Im sure they will outgrow my 125 within the next year, but I have a pond to put them in when that happens!
 
Well I have a 2000g pond in my basement but I drained it and left it there. It was too much work for me and my electric bill was outrageous. I just dont see keeping my bass in the pond by himself where I cant really see him and enjoy his interaction with me. Thats why I want to get him a tank made. Right now he's in my bedroom right by my bed and he watches me all night. I cant put him in that pond. I will fix a tank in my room no problem, just the size of the tank is what I got to work on.
 
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