Tankmates for a Redfin Pickerel

[fishyz]

I want to get a redfin pickerel for my 150 gallon planted tank (as soon as it's set up)and was wondering it there are any fish that cant get hurt by the pickerel and could not hurt the pickerel. Is there a native fish that could be a tank mate with a redfisn pickerel for life?

 

[drewish]

A docile yellow perch *should* work, that is what I'm planning on keeping mine with. I'm also going to try and keep my warmouth with it as well. The key with tankmates with redfin pickerel is that they have to be large enough not to be eaten and small enough not to eat the redfin. They also have to be pretty docile and not chase the redfin around. If you want a bottom feeder, you can try a stonecat as it will hide most of the day.

 

[fishyz]

What a bout som tadpole madtoms, would those work, would they eat my plants like bullheads would? I think they're cool little cats.

 

[soggysandwich]

i was thinking of keeping rock bass with mine (once it get it)

 

[drewish]

I don't know about tadpole madtoms since they only get about 5". The stonecat is a very similar species and will get to a larger size but won't be as large as a bullhead.

Rock bass are a hit or miss. They are a pretty aggressive fish and may nip at the fins of the redfin pickerel.

 

[fishyz]

Is there any thing else besides stonecats and yellow perch?

 

[soggysandwich]

sounds like refins are the fish everyone likes to pick on

 

[fishyz]

Ya I no there almost nothing that can be their tankmate.

 

[drewish]

Is there any thing else besides stonecats and yellow perch?

They are tough to find tankmates for. There are some sunfish that you can try but make sure you can keep an eye on them.

I know someone who has a grass pickerel with a sauger, rock bass, crappie, yellow perch, and a couple of smaller gar in a 240G. All the fish have some size on them so they are pretty compatible. The sauger and yellow perch will hide most of the time and if well fed will leave tankmates alone. And like I said, rock bass are a hit or miss.

If you have the patience, you can find tankmates suitable for the pickerel.

 

[mamoo]

Crappie should be very compatable with the redfin. They are really docile and shouldnt pick on the redfin at all. From my experience a lot of sunfish are rather aggressive and territorial and just may pick on the redfin a lot. IMO, crappie would be a much better choice.