Red Finned Pickerel
- Thread starter IndyTexy
- Start date
Make sure you check on Wisconsin fishing regulations but I'm pretty sure it is 100% illegal to collecting natives for aquarium purposes in Wisconsin due to VHS disease issues. Also Grass pickerels have limited distribution in Wisconsin which that's why you never seen one due to the competition with northern pikes. You have better chances to buying grass pickerels online.
Recheck on your state fishing regulations. You cannot collect them from the wild but you can buy them online. You will have to wait till the pickerels become available in two months or so that's when most online websites will sell them.
I think for future responses, it would be best to post links for the definite answer, especially for native species.
Such as what I just did below.
I got on a chat with the Wisconsin DNR.
Dixie FIT:
Hello Jason, how can I help you?
Jason:
Hi, have a question about keep native fish in the aquarium.
Jason:
Is it legal or illegal to keep native fish such as pickerel in an aquarium?
Dixie FIT:
One moment please.
Jason:
ok
Dixie FIT:
You cannot transport any live fish taken from a wild source, however you can purchase fish from a fish hatchery, bait shop or licensed bait harvester.
Jason:
Great, exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!
Dixie FIT:
You're welcome.
Open this link http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WardenWire/WardenWire_Lookup.asp?id=253
Go to question 3
This site has Redfin Pickerels but out of stock
http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Redfin-Pickerel.html
I've also seen them on AquaBid here and there but non on there now.
Such as what I just did below.
I got on a chat with the Wisconsin DNR.
Dixie FIT:
Hello Jason, how can I help you?
Jason:
Hi, have a question about keep native fish in the aquarium.
Jason:
Is it legal or illegal to keep native fish such as pickerel in an aquarium?
Dixie FIT:
One moment please.
Jason:
ok
Dixie FIT:
You cannot transport any live fish taken from a wild source, however you can purchase fish from a fish hatchery, bait shop or licensed bait harvester.
Jason:
Great, exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!
Dixie FIT:
You're welcome.
Open this link http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WardenWire/WardenWire_Lookup.asp?id=253
Go to question 3
This site has Redfin Pickerels but out of stock
http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Redfin-Pickerel.html
I've also seen them on AquaBid here and there but non on there now.
I've had both grass and red fin pickerels for years. Their "personalities" aren't always the same.
My current red fin was bought, online from an Aquaculturist in Florida, when finger-length, many years ago. He's (?) now 12 inches, last time I measured. His life-long tank mate is a female bluegill caught wild at 2", but now somewhere around 10 inches. (She's the only survivor of about 6 mixed sunfish that fought endlessly.)
They are currently reside in a 215 gal., well planted tank. They hang together, side by side, very often. You'd think they were best friends. (Really)
The pickerel started off eating rosies, then goldfish. He's always only eaten live fish. (He once spit one out, now dead, and then wouldn't touch it.) The bluegill eats fresh freeze-dried krill (not soggy, please.)
Luckily, I have turtles in another tank that eat anything these guys won't.
When these guys are gone, I won't hesitate to replace them with the same species.
My current red fin was bought, online from an Aquaculturist in Florida, when finger-length, many years ago. He's (?) now 12 inches, last time I measured. His life-long tank mate is a female bluegill caught wild at 2", but now somewhere around 10 inches. (She's the only survivor of about 6 mixed sunfish that fought endlessly.)
They are currently reside in a 215 gal., well planted tank. They hang together, side by side, very often. You'd think they were best friends. (Really)
The pickerel started off eating rosies, then goldfish. He's always only eaten live fish. (He once spit one out, now dead, and then wouldn't touch it.) The bluegill eats fresh freeze-dried krill (not soggy, please.)
Luckily, I have turtles in another tank that eat anything these guys won't.
When these guys are gone, I won't hesitate to replace them with the same species.
Kept only chain pickerel but can't be too much different. Calm,non aggressive, will get bullied as stated. Caught mine and never feed it live bait/gold fish. Took months for it to take frozen smelt. I vertically drop it in the tank to mimic it darting downward.
Looks like they are out of all types of pickerels.
