Native Alabama Creek Tank

[klmt]

ya that would be cool. Try to catch the big goldie and get some pics. see if it is a big goldie or a koi.

 

[ColdwaterCreekGuide]

KLMT, I will give it a shot tomorrow.. He's quick and always sees me coming, but I think I can at least get a picture..

 

[drewish]

Man, I was expecting to see some of the "cool" Alabama creek species which that thread title...

 

[ShadowBass]

I have a good sized pond just upcreek from my house, on my property. I was wondering if it would be okay to release them there. There is already one really big goldfish of some sort swimming around in the pond.. I see it every once in a while when I scoop for wild guppies to feed the bass. Its like a foot and a half long. I'm pretty sure my tank is disease free, so would it be okay to put the goldies in the pond?

If the pond is connected to any natural waterways you're usually not allowed to release fish even if it is on your property. As long as there isn't any water running in or out it should be fine.

 

[sandtiger]

Thanks meepster and kntrygrl4lyfe!! I had thought it might be a Yellow Bullhead, but then somebody told me it was a madtom. Probably because of the freckles on his head.
I want to get rid of the 5 goldfish soon, and possibly add a green sunfish instead. Do yall think that would be overstocked?

Honestly I think the tank is overstocked as is and it will be even without the goldfish. A yellow bullhead will take up most of the tankspace, the LMB will need a tank double that size eventually and turtle/fish combos seldom work out. Turtles produce a huge bio-load and often eat the fish or attack them.

 

[Fish_are_fishfood]

Nice tank!! Like the aquascaping.

 

[cmj15]

nice tank, the aquascaping is awesome, if you had enough filtration on the tank you could put a green sunfish in there, but the bass is going to eventually outgrow the 55

 

[ColdwaterCreekGuide]

If the pond is connected to any natural waterways you're usually not allowed to release fish even if it is on your property. As long as there isn't any water running in or out it should be fine.

Cool. I wondered about that.. Its just a pond, nothing flowing in or out.

 

[ColdwaterCreekGuide]

Man, I was expecting to see some of the "cool" Alabama creek species which that thread title...

Well I can get yall some pictures of Cottus Pygmaeus (aka Cottus Paulus) or the "Pygmy Sculpin" that exist nowhere else in the world!
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/fish/other/sculpin/pygmy/
Yep I live on THAT creek.

But which other "cool" creek species would you like to see? Mountain Brook Lampreys?? or Alabama Hogsuckers? Coldwater Darters? These would all be too difficult for me to keep, trust me I've thought about it!

 

[ColdwaterCreekGuide]

Honestly I think the tank is overstocked as is and it will be even without the goldfish. A yellow bullhead will take up most of the tankspace, the LMB will need a tank double that size eventually and turtle/fish combos seldom work out. Turtles produce a huge bio-load and often eat the fish or attack them.

I know.. I know.. I asked for it didn't I??
BUT...
Eastern river cooters are omnivorous when young, but as they mature they eat less and less meat, and usually switch to herbivores altogether. The key to keeping them from attacking any tankmates is to provide plenty of fresh aquatic vegetation.. Which I do.. I've had her for two years now, and she's never attacked anything but feeders, and even then she didn't really care for them! (hence the 5 overgrown goldies)

But even so, I can't keep the turtle forever, and plan on releasing her into my good friends backyard pond where she will have a male ERC to interact with.

I use double the recommended filtration for a tank this size, a powerhead and a submersible pump to keep the water flowing, and very frequent water changes directly from a springfed creek that is also our city's water supply.. Crystal clear and clean as can be.. All my pets are thriving for the moment.

The LMB being only 4.5 to 5 inches and the yellow bullhead being the same size gives me at least a few years to save up for a much bigger tank. But you are correct, and I plan on getting rid of the goldies very soon to ease the bio-load a bit.

Thanks for voicing your opinion Sandtiger! I needed to hear that to get my lazy butt into gear and do something about it! (I'm a DIY guy with lots of free time so I'm sure I'll think of something soon!)