LMB & SMB

[Stardust24382]

New member here. A couple months ago, my now 10 year old took his cast net that he had begged for (thanks YouTube) and caught a couple fish. They were all pretty small and he brought them home and put them in our aquarium. Within a couple weeks, I realized that we now have 2 smallmouth bass and 1 largemouth bass a shiner and a bluegill. The largemouth and 1 of the smallmouth have doubled in size. The other smallmouth has only grown very little. Only eats fish flakes. Won’t have anything to do with minnows like the other two. Ideas?

 

[tlindsey]

New member here. A couple months ago, my now 10 year old took his cast net that he had begged for (thanks YouTube) and caught a couple fish. They were all pretty small and he brought them home and put them in our aquarium. Within a couple weeks, I realized that we now have 2 smallmouth bass and 1 largemouth bass a shiner and a bluegill. The largemouth and 1 of the smallmouth have doubled in size. The other smallmouth has only grown very little. Only eats fish flakes. Won’t have anything to do with minnows like the other two. Ideas?

Welcome aboard
The smallest Smallmouth Bass is the lowest of the pecking order so the flakes are better than it not eating at all. Your going to probably lose fish once the Largemouth outgrows the others.
What size aquarium are the fish in?

 

[Stardust24382]

Welcome aboard
The smallest Smallmouth Bass is the lowest of the pecking order so the flakes are better than it not eating at all. Your going to probably lose fish once the Largemouth outgrows the others.
What size aquarium are the fish in?

The 2 bigger ones are in a 75 by themselves. I removed the smaller one to a 55 because they kept… charging him? I went ahead and moved the shiner and the bluegill to the 55 as well.

 

[tlindsey]

The 2 bigger ones are in a 75 by themselves. I removed the smaller one to a 55 because they kept… charging him? I went ahead and moved the shiner and the bluegill to the 55 as well.

The 75 gallon will be temporary for the 2 bass because of territory tbh the aquarium will be too small for adult largemouth and smallmouth bass. If you observe chasing from either one then remove one of them asap.

 

[Stardust24382]

That’s what I’ve been reading. We had them in a 55 , and once I realized what they were I went out and got a 75. My 55 has tropical fish in it, so I had to get them outta there. I reckon I need to do another upgrade.

 

[tlindsey]

That’s what I’ve been reading. We had them in a 55 , and once I realized what they were I went out and got a 75. My 55 has tropical fish in it, so I had to get them outta there. I reckon I need to do another upgrade.

Have you thought about getting the native fish on pellet food.

 

[Stardust24382]

Lady at the pet store suggested a cichlid pellet, so I bought some. They won’t eat it. I crushed it a bit and sprinkled it in and they ate a bit of it. They don’t seem to be a fan though.

 

[tlindsey]

Lady at the pet store suggested a cichlid pellet, so I bought some. They won’t eat it. I crushed it a bit and sprinkled it in and they ate a bit of it. They don’t seem to be a fan though.

If you stop feeding live food they will eat the pellet. Live feeders especially from most lfs's don’t quarantine feeders and they can harbor diseases and other harmful pathogens.

 

[Stardust24382]

I thought it’d be better to live feed, but I can see how that would be a issue. We were getting minnows from the creek at first, but just wasn’t getting enough.