Muskie feeding and climate requirements

[stockfool]

I have been asked to manage a couple native tanks for a high school museum in Tennessee. Let me first disclose that I did not have an input in the tank selection as I know some of you will disagree with the setup size. The tank in question is a 250 gallon standard. The inhabitant is a single 8” muskie acquired from the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA). They have also approved the setup of the tank. It is filtered by a Fluval FX5 with ceramic pre-filter media, biomax, and medium filter pad in addition to the built in sponge filter pads and a stock UG filter (if you call them that) powered by a high output air pump designed for pond applications up to 8’ in depth. The risers on the UG are all valve regulated to get even flow. This setup has a good circulation rate. The facility has an ambient temp of 68 degrees, which I hope will maintain an acceptable temp for the species. PH 7.4 and moderately soft water which matches the data I was given for the fish.

My main issue is I have little knowledge of the feeding requirements of this fish. Could some of you who have experience with this species give me some info on what has worked for you? Also is it "safer" to feed feeder fish or locally souced minows and is there any componet of the diet that would be acceptable as a dry food? I greatly appreciate any help you can give me.

 

[Shenanigans]

I would keep it cool if possible, no heater. Ambient temp of 68F sounds like a good place to be and should be perfectly acceptable. I would try to train it to take dead/frozen foods, but pellet or dry foods are probably a long shot. Feeder fish harbor disease, so if you cant quarentine them, I would avoid them. Same problem with wild caught feeders. It varies on area though. I would try to sample the local population, do an autopsy on a few and look for parasites in the stomach and in the flesh itself. If it is clean and the skin is clean, it is probably safer than most store bought feeder fish. You could possibly look into bait stores, talk to the owner/manager and see where their bait comes from. Some are simply wild caught and it might be safer to talk to them. If they are wild caught you could inquire about any diseases or other problems they have seen in their holding tanks. Still, try to get it to eat frozen silver sides or other prepared foods.

Along with the temp staying at 68F, strive for a high oxygen content. It will help him cope with any stress. They prefer dimmer light and cover to make them feel secure. You will need to make sure the lid is tight and secure or you will find him on the floor, they are very good jumpers. I know you already know this, but he will grow big quick. Im not sure how long a 250 will hold one if he starts growing like he should. Good luck

 

[Chub_by]

For food, I would try whole frozen fish, whatever you can get in your region. You can also use fish you caught in the wild, but be sure to freeze them first in case of parasites.

Sent from my MK16i using Tapatalk App

 

[stockfool]

Does anyone have some info on how much and how often to feed? This is a 8" muskie. The length is a little deceptive as at that size they are very thin and long. I know it will grow quickly. Is there a ratio for length, age, or weight as to how much they need to eat or is it an all they will eat kind of deal? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Shenanigans]

Treat him like a normal fish. Dont feed it everything that it will eat. That will only encourage a fast growth rate and for a large fish in a 250, your only asking for problems faster than you want them. When I kept Esox, I fed twice a week, and at 8" I only fed 2-3 fish. That seemed to be a good amount, the fish grew normally and stayed healthy until the day I got rid of him. They can take food items up to 1/3 their own body and will try larger, but because they can doesnt mean they should. They will attack almost anything though, rats, muskrats and ducks are a normal food item for larger specimens and adults. suckers and soft-rayed fish are a favorite food. I would start with smaller meals and change the feeding as needed.With proper feeding, they should reach at least 30" in 3 years. Also, in trying to research this a little bit, I found that musky may prefer slightly wamer water, with low 70s being perfectly acceptable

Unusual Items in the Diet of the Northern Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy immaculatus), Anderson, L; Copeia, 1948: 1, 1948, 63

Weed, C; Feeding the Muskalonge, Copeia, 146, 1925, 69-70

 

[stockfool]

So here is our muskie for anyone that is interested. Thought I'd include a pic for those of you that want to see. We have switched to frozen feeders, which I was glad he will accept. Water parameters are: PH 7.4, NH4 0, NO2 0, NO3 10, 68 degrees. Anyone know safe NO3 levels for these fish? I know some people will claim 0, but it is the natural breakdown of ammonia. I plain will do a 25% water change tomorrow. That is what I plain to do weekly if no problems come up. It is the sole occupant of the 250 tank. We plain to upgrade to a 1000 eventually.
.

 

[cemster]

Pretty sweet - and with the 1000 gallon in the future your lucky enough to keep him for a long time - don't be shy on the pics - and some vids of the feeding lol

 

[Shenanigans]

Sounds great and looks great. NO3 10 is fine and nothing to worry about. I know I cant see much of the tank, but is there any cover? A young musky wont appreciate being so exposed. Back when I was doing a feeding study, I kept pickerel in a 325. The only cover I offered them was a floating mat with fake weeds hanging into the water. It wasnt much and kept him visible, but it made the pickerel feel secure and allowed him to act much more natural.

Glad to hear hes eating well, looking forward to more pics in the future!

 

[Slippery K]

Beautiful muskie, if I had a tank big enough I would love to have one.

 

[lix.ma14]

beast fish!