newbie too all native tank, need help

[jerzyperson]

I have a 125 gallon tank that i want to turn into an eastern native tank, i am looking for an appropriate stock list for the 125. Its over filter already, i want to plant it and make it as natural as possible. This is my first attempt at this and need some help. Please if you have anything to say, do. I will post pics of my progress and video as this go along. And for any suggestions if you know of a supplier i can buy them from, i'd rather buy em then catch em. My lake has a real disease and bacteria problem right now.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Owain4]

i think you should go with various types of minnows, maybe some bluegil, brown or black catfish. i find that when people get preditors like gar, lmb, smb the variety of fish they can get decreases due to the appetite of these guys. some sunfish look quite nice. try some driftwood and gets lots of hiding places for fish cause thats what they love.

 

[Mr.Catfish]

If you want a planted tank with a predator go with grass or redfin pickerel. I would do a pair of pickerel and some sunfish. If you want a community tank you could go with sunfish and bullheads. Or go with shiners,dace, and darters.A 125 gives you alot of options. But also limits you. Largemouth bass,gar,smallmouth bass,channel catfish,and other large predators will out grow a 125 very quickly.
As for aquascaping driftwood,rocks, and sand. Their are alot of native plants also. Cabomba,myriophyllum,ceratophylum,ludwigia,vals and some others.

 

[Umbra]

Some pumpkinseed, large common/striped shiners and some creek chub would make an attractive display. Maybe throw a perch or two in there and a stonecat.

 

[RESET]

I will caution you putting minnows and bullheads in the same tank. My Bullies (4) and Greenies (8) go thru 36 rosies in a couple days. Rosie reds are just a pink variant of fat head minnow. The rosies I buy are under an inch but I had some full grown in there and they got eaten too. My largest Bully is about 4-5 inches right now. My 8 Greenies take out at least a dozen as soon as they hit the water. Mt largest Greeny is right at 4".

 

[jerzyperson]

So i was able to get my hands on a few bullheads and minows. Funny thing is my big tank isn't really ready yet... so imma grow em out in a eo until the 125 is re-scaped.

 

[SMBbuddy]

I have a longear sunfish. They have some incredible colors. Prettiest sunfish, IMO. My rock bass is interesting in that it can change colors depending on it's surroundings, but it hides a lot of the time. My favorite is my smallmouth. He has a lot of personality and is the most interactive fish I have, but he eats a lot, poops a lot, needs a lot of space, and filtration. I don't have any plants, but I'm hoping to get some soon, so I appreciate your question.

 

[jerzyperson]

so the minnows have died, but my 2 bullheads are still growing, i have them in the 125 now, letting things settle before i add some sunfish and minnows.