ninespine sticklebacks.

[parasite paradise]

I have just recently required five ninespine sticklebacks from a local stream here in wisconsin. ive had them for a few weeks now and ive barely notice them eating. ive tried frozen brine, pellets and crushed flake food. so far they only seem to take interest in the flakes, and barely at that. they seem to be getter slimmer. anyone have any feeding ideas on how to keep these guys nice and fat? ive also heard that they venture into brackish water. is this true? it seems a little odd living miles away from any sort of marine habitat. Id love to put a few with my violet goby in my low-end brackish tank.
also, has anyone ever had any luck with breeding these guys? i understand that the male makes an elaborate nest to guard the eggs.

 

[red_wall]

A wild caught fish is hard to ween onto non-living foods that it would normally eat in the wild. Try live food, like whiteworms or microworms. Is the tank planted? They might possibly nibble on the plants or algae that grows on the plants.

 

[parasite paradise]

Is the tank planted? They might possibly nibble on the plants or algae that grows on the plants.

Just a lot of plastic plants. the tank is relatively new so algae supply is limited, but i might try to transfer some aglae from my pond outside..or sticklebacks to the pond.

 

[andyjs]

Live foods will definitely help. You might also try things like frozen bloodworms and other such larvae. I've seen wild sticklebacks go after slow sinking pellets. They were normally attracted at first by the sinking motion, but then learned they were food.

 

[niblit]

ive had really good luck w/ blood worms