I have setup a stock tank to see how simple I can go to get broods of bluegill without using a $8,000 to $20,000 RAS. Fish used are a trio of small adult Hand-paint Bluegill. Feed to date has been dominated by insects falling into tank. The fish are clearly focused on what drops in and they not readily take items from my hand. Supplementation with feed starting but irregular. Probable female putting on weight but probable male not defending nest site provided yet. The spawning part I doubt will be a problem, nor will be harvesting brood at proper time. Challenge will be in feeding the larval and early fry stages. I am thinking about putting in place several livestock protein tubs that will be innoculated with green water and a handful of Japanese Beetle adults. No aeration is planned at this time. Goal is to produce a couple hundred 2" fingerlings by late fall.
Making some cool observations that may be particular to Hand-paint Bluegill. They do seem to be more aggressive than other bluegill I have worked with. Seem.