Need guideline with some Canadian natives

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T

TheBloodyIrish

Feeder Fish
Mar 3, 2007
1,347
1
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Grande Prairie, Canada
I am planning on building a tank that will be between 100 gallons and 300 gallons. As much I would love to put a monster fish or two in my tank, I feel that they behave very unnaturally unless they have the space they need.

I am interested in stocking the tank with Alberta natives. However, I don't know all the questions I should be asking myself before I pursue this idea. I have been reading awhile, but books and websites don't provide a lot of information on keeping NA natives. :confused:

I am not interested in predatory fish, so no walleyes, pikes, burbots, yellow perch, bass, or trouts; unless there is a self-maintaining population of native "feeders" in the tank as well. This, I highly doubt is possible to do unless I have a large pond or live in a zoo. :drool:

I am not just interested in the fish itself either. I would like to be able add some biodiversity like freshwater clams, crayfish and other creatures as well.

For anyone not living in Alberta, but still want to take a look at the choices I have:

http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/vexhibit/fishes/fish.asp?id=45
http://www.2learn.ca/Alberta/projects/pond/Fish.html
 
I have heard that clams do not do well in tanks because they are filter feeders, crayfish can do well but they will prey upon tank mates in the right settings.

It seems that you have a good selection of shiners, and minnows to chose from, I will let others more knowledgeable about them to make recommendations.
 
hmt321;734466; said:
I have heard that clams do not do well in tanks because they are filter feeders, crayfish can do well but they will prey upon tank mates in the right settings.

It seems that you have a good selection of shiners, and minnows to chose from, I will let others more knowledgeable about them to make recommendations.
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Rightly so, however, I heard freshwater clams work great if there is a current, even if it is a slow moving one.. Otherwise, it's like what you said -- they don't do that well.
 
I heard invertebrates, especially clams, play host to parasites that may harm your fish.

I know you have ruled out predators, but most predators can be converted from live feeds to raw shrimp or even pellets. No need for feeders at all (they can be a pain).

Perch and most sunfish will readily take pellets. They can be very personable fish. I personally enjoy yellow bullhead. They will eat just about anything.

If you are experienced in planted tanks, I have always thought a heavily planted tank with some native minnows would look pretty sharp. I keep spotfin and red shiners. They never stop swimming and can be quite colorful. They remind me of little piranhas at feeding time.
 
you have a link to the alberta museum, have you been there recently? they have a great aquarium settup(they have I think 3-4 aquariums that are like 200 gallons...). you could probably get some ideas from there.
I've wanted to keep local fish, as well. unfortunately don't have the space.
 
pophead;734628; said:
you have a link to the alberta museum, have you been there recently? they have a great aquarium settup(they have I think 3-4 aquariums that are like 200 gallons...). you could probably get some ideas from there.
I've wanted to keep local fish, as well. unfortunately don't have the space.
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Wow, another person from Alberta. Nice. I think I only visited it once I was little. They had a live ocupus display the last time I was there. I need to check it out again. As a matter of fact, I am staying in Edmonton until I finish my study at the university, then I am going back to the oilfield during the summer; so I imagine in the next couple of months I will be visiting the museum a few time.

Are you planning on changing the water temperature periodically to simulate the change of seasons? This may require some chiller equipment and a strategy for dealing with condensation on the sides of the tank.
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I thought about installing a daylight/moonlight system with a condension system based off of intank envaporation to simulate rainfall. How important is it to stimulate the change of seasons?
 
season change can often be simulated with photo period adjustments, massive water changes, introduction of different foods, temperature adjustment.

for example some sunfish in order to spawn need a cold spell (water tamp below 60f) along with photo period adjustment.
 
Where's the Alberta Museum?If you are planning to do tanks that large why not go with a perch?I plan to nab one this spring and if I can get a hold of bullheads,sunfish,and a stonecat.I'm not going for the Alberta theme though.I am not from here.I want to get a hold of species that are native to Illinois.They don't have to necessarly have to be caught in Illinois.If I can get them up here great.

However I would be tempted to do an Alberta satup If I could get the perch,a pickerel and and stonecat.I would still have to do the Illinois thing too though and then get killed by the wife for having too many tanks.lol
She's not too happy I thru down on an FX5 this past weekend.
 
Here's the address and phone number for the museum. A perch, pickerel and a catfish would be nice. I think of them more of pond fish, but still it would be awesome to see it in your living room.

12845 102 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5N 0M6

(780) 453-9100

:ROFL:
Pleasing our wives or girlfriends can be quite difficult if they had to put up with what we do everyday. Luckily, I can do all my kinky hobbies, since the girlfriend haven't moved in with me.
 
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