native tank

[red5sox]

Hey, I'm starting an Illinios native tank with a bluegill, creek chub (about 1.5"), a large crawfish, and a pleco (just for algae control). I was wondering how long twenty-five feeder fish would last me?

 

[jworth]

a while and plecos have much more nutritional needs than just "algae control". its a common misconception.

 

[JIM]

I wouldnt waste my time or money on feeder fish for that setup. nothing but the Gill would eat them, maybe the cray if he could catch one, that Gill will convert to pellets pretty easily, and the others including the pleco will eat a good quality crushed flake, with a decent spirulina algae content, throw in a cube of frozen blood worms, and mysis on occasion, and the Gill would appreciate the occasional earthworm, better nutrition all around.

 

[Kaosu]

I wouldnt waste my time or money on feeder fish for that setup. nothing but the Gill would eat them, maybe the cray if he could catch one, that Gill will convert to pellets pretty easily, and the others including the pleco will eat a good quality crushed flake, with a decent spirulina algae content, throw in a cube of frozen blood worms, and mysis on occasion, and the Gill would appreciate the occasional earthworm, better nutrition all around.

+1

I would stay away from feeder fish unless you are breeding them your self, they carry tons of parasites and are raised in bulk as fast as possible..so they are pretty poor in nutrition by the time you get the.

 

[jdhuegel1]

+1
so they are pretty poor in nutrition by the time you get the.

Is there any proof to this? I hear it here all the time... sure, feeders are raised in bulk and often can carry parasites/diseases (although I've never had issues). I need to understand how/why they would be any loss nutritious than say - feeders you raised yourself. They may obviously not be as "hearty" but lacking the same nutritious value is confusing.

Anyway... that said, my Bluegill can only get sm/med feeders. Prefers minnow.

 

[JIM]

The situation is that Native fishes dont just eat other little fish, they need many different types of nutrition, which they get from various sources in the wild. Converting to a manufactured food that contains all the nutrients needed for good health and vigor is just good business.

 

[hemiboo]

Where ever you got the bluegill from. Find out what's good to eat from the creek or pond and catch it to feed your fishes. They do take pellets. I quarantine my feeders and gut load them with good flake food before the feeding frenzy.

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[JIM]

Thats good advice hemiboo, i used to feed gut loaded crickets as well. The Sunnys love them, as do the bass

 

[warmouth]

The situation is that Native fishes dont just eat other little fish, they need many different types of nutrition, which they get from various sources in the wild. Converting to a manufactured food that contains all the nutrients needed for good health and vigor is just good business.

I agree, you can always give them treats like Bloodworms, scuds, and earthworms.....but I believe its best to get them on pellet or frozen food as soon as you can.

 

[darth pike]

Is there any proof to this? I hear it here all the time... sure, feeders are raised in bulk and often can carry parasites/diseases (although I've never had issues). I need to understand how/why they would be any loss nutritious than say - feeders you raised yourself. They may obviously not be as "hearty" but lacking the same nutritious value is confusing.

Having worked in both a pet store and an aquarium maintenance company, and had a friend work in the wholesale side of things, I can tell you most feeders aren't fed at all from the time they hit the wholesalers to the pet store to the time you bring them home. They are well into using their fat reserves by that point, so unless you are spending time bulking them back up, I would imagine that this is where that saying comes from.