Bass and other gamefish grow quickly and can outgrow small tanks, so consider carefully if you have a large enough space for them. It’s also good to start with fewer fishes so that you can get a feel for how much food you’ll need to purchase and how often you’ll need to clean the tank. Gamefish eat a lot and produce a lot of waste. One of the reasons why people love to keep gamefish is that it’s fun to watch them grow. Week by week, you’ll see your fish get bigger and learn more about their habits.
Whether you use gravel or substrate or nothing at all is up to you. Some aquarium owners prefer to have nothing on the bottom of their tanks, as that is easier to clean. If you do add gravel or substrate, keep the level between 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5. 1 cm) deep.
Some American gamefish owners don’t use any lighting at all if their aquarium is located in a room that receives a lot of natural sunlight. As long as your fish are receiving a minimum of 8 hours of light every day, that should be enough. Even though fish caught in the wild are used to changing seasons, you don’t need to worry about restricting their sunlight during the winter and spring months.
Some chillers also include a thermometer that tells you the actual temperature, but some don’t. If your model doesn’t have that capability, purchase a stick-on thermometer to keep on the inside of the aquarium so you can easily check the temperature. Although chillers are expensive, they also last for a long time, making them a worthwhile investment. Before purchasing any aquarium equipment, take some time to read reviews of the different products that are available.
Once you become more familiar with your fish, you’ll learn how often the filter truly needs to be changed. The fewer fish you have, the longer the filter will last between cleanings.
If you have trouble remembering when it’s time to change the water, schedule the cleanings on your calendar.
Whether you caught the fish in the wild or bought it from a store, you need to take the time to introduce it to your tank appropriately so it doesn’t go into shock.
Whether you caught the fish in the wild or bought it from a store, you need to take the time to introduce it to your tank appropriately so it doesn’t go into shock.
Many hatcheries and pet stores sell gamefish feed.
Check the vent of the fish, which is the opening between the anal fin and the fish’s anus. A circular vent generally indicates a male, whereas a female’s vent is more oval in shape. Female fish are generally much larger than male fish. When in doubt, ask a hatchery expert to determine if your fish is male or female.
If fish become aggressive with one another, you can let them fight for a little to see if the dominant fish can exert itself and the submissive fish will hopefully back down. You could also try rearranging the habitat to make different territories for the fish. Also, consider providing multiple hiding spots for attacked fish to use to take refuge. As a last resort, you may need to move one of the fish out of your aquarium or create a blocked-off area in your current aquarium using netting and put the aggressive fish into it for a week before trying to reintegrate it. Don’t hesitate to check out various gamefish forums to learn more about other people’s experiences—you can learn a lot from others’ successes and failures.
Always check that your tank’s filter is running properly and that all the equipment is in good working order. Sometimes sick fish can get better after a water change or small tank adjustment. Sickness can spread quickly in a tank, so it’s important to catch illnesses as early as possible.
Bass enjoy small insects, algae, shrimp, and bloodworms, and they also can be taught to eat flakes or pellets. Bass will generally eat about 2/3 of their weight every day, which means you’ll need to keep an eye out on your filter to make sure it keeps working properly.
Large, adult sunfish can become territorial, so keep an eye on their behavior. If they get too aggressive, they may need to be moved into their own tank.
Pumpkinseed fish like to eat small insects, snails, and larvae. They’ll also eat shrimp, bloodworms, flakes, and pellets. Pumpkinseed fish can be very aggressive, so keep an eye out and remove them if they start attacking their neighbors.
If you’re buying these fish, they’re often called “rosy reds. ”
Trout like to eat leeches, bloodworms, and small insects, and they also can be taught to eat flakes and pellets. The brown trout and the rainbow trout are the ones most often kept in aquariums.
When in doubt, do some research or ask someone who has an established gamefish aquarium for recommendations.
