Questions re: Redfin/ grass pickerel

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R

rpiotr01

Feeder Fish
Aug 21, 2007
3
0
0
New Jersey
Hey everyone, I'm new to these forums.

I checked out the search function and couldn't find anything definitive, so I hope you all don't mind a few questions about these small pickerel.


I have a 65G tank (48 x 18 x ~17, same footprint as a 75, just about 2 inches shorter) that will most definitely be planted. I was wondering if that is a large enough tank size to house either one grass or redfin pickerel. From what I've read they don't appear to be particularly active swimmers, but the total length/ girth of the fish is what I question.

If so, I guess a follow up is, are they mellow enough that they won't go after fingers while pruning/ working in the tank? That's kind of important with the whole planted side of things... ;)

Still not positive about what I might do with this tank (could go with other natives like sunfish etc, possibly dwarf pike cichlids)

And I do consider myself an experienced hobbyist (moreso with plants), I know how to take care of my water :)

Anyway, thanks for your help, and I'm enjoying reading others' threads already.
 
I think a 65 is plenty big enough for a few pickerels, as they rarely get over 10 inches in the aquarium. They are definitely not active swimmers, and hover all day, except when feeding. They're not aggressive and rather flighty, so most likely they'll jet away as you put your hands in the tank, possibly injuring themselves on the glass. Probably not a good idea to keep them with sunfish as they can be aggressive towards the pickerel, and pickerels don't defend themselves.
 
DevonEli;1077477; said:
I think a 65 is plenty big enough for a few pickerels, as they rarely get over 10 inches in the aquarium. They are definitely not active swimmers, and hover all day, except when feeding. They're not aggressive and rather flighty, so most likely they'll jet away as you put your hands in the tank, possibly injuring themselves on the glass. Probably not a good idea to keep them with sunfish as they can be aggressive towards the pickerel, and pickerels don't defend themselves.
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I agree with pretty much all of that. EXCEPT the part that they will flight when you put your hand in. Mine doesnt take off but he doesn't really go after my hand. Like he sits there and watches it and if I put my hand in too slow he will bite it. I usually just take my hand and push him away and he leaves me alone though...Also grass tend to get larger than redfins. Oh and mine is in a 55 and perfect. I was actually thinking about another...

Chad
 
Thanks guys. Still going to consider my options here, but that's good to know. I don't think I'd want more than one in there anyway. Biggest problem I guess would be algae control, since I assume they'd eat any Amanos or flagfish in there.

Speaking of feeding, how do you feed yours? Live with frozen mixed in?
 
Yea lol they destroy any shrimp and/or flagfish...I would know form experience lol. I feed mine frozen shrimp, beefheart, koi/goldfish pellets, and hikari cichlid gold pellets...It takes time but it is very possible to train them to eat anything.

Chad
 
65 is good dont put them in with sunfish. pickerel hover with there fins twitching and sunfish love to pick at there twitching fins. this causes them to not have fins so they cant swim and move water threw there gills which causes them to die.
 
I line in NYC and travel to NJ often, where can I get purchase a redfin or chain pickerel? I catch quite a few cp 20" +, but want smaller for my 55 g.
 
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