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Eastern Mudminnow Concerns


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#1 Guest_Madtom_*

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Posted 26 December 2007 - 10:11 PM

I have one Eastern Mudminnow housed with several Banded Pygmy Sunfish. Should I be concerned that the mudminnow may decide to eat his smaller tankmates? He is growing at a rapid rate and already shows agression towards the small crayfish I have housed in the tank as well. From what I have gathered though the crayfish may end up being the principle problem as far as the pygmy sunnies are concerned...any thoughts anyone? Thanks! :)

#2 Guest_Madtom_*

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Posted 26 December 2007 - 10:27 PM

Whoops...I just noticed I posted this in the wrong area...I thought I was in the "pike & mudminnow" subforum but it turns out I wasn't...sorry... ](*,)

#3 Guest_drewish_*

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Posted 26 December 2007 - 11:07 PM

Yes, a larger mudminnow will eat smaller fish. It may not be a good idea to mix pygmies with any larger species.

#4 Guest_Nightwing_*

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Posted 26 December 2007 - 11:44 PM

Mudminnows seem to me like a small version of a pike/bowfin/ hybrid,(in that they pretty much look and act like such a fish would look and act). I LOVE them..but if you have fish or inverts small enough to fit in their mouth(which is surprisingly large)..well....you can guess the outcome!

#5 Guest_Madtom_*

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Posted 27 December 2007 - 12:28 AM

Thanks...I was afraid of that...looks I should have done my homework before I got the fish...anyway thanks for the information. Funny you should mention bowfin nightwing. I originally believed these to be small bowfin when I captured my first mudminnow so many summers ago... :roll:

#6 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 27 December 2007 - 10:20 PM

Do not give up on them. They are in my opinion an underated aquarium fish. They are hardy as hell. accept most foods. And are very similar to Esox in mannerism. One of my favorite fish.

#7 Guest_choupique_*

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Posted 27 December 2007 - 11:47 PM

I second skipjack.

Small mudminnows are fine with fish the same size. They are pretty much not going to bother anyone.

I also did that way back when I caught my first tiny ( under an inch) mudminnows in a flooded ditch near my house. I thought they were baby bowfin that the school ( baby bowfin swim in a ball like bullheads) was busted up from flooding. I figured the dorsal fin would lengthen. Part of it was the notochord in the tail fin. As they grew the dorsal fin never got longer, and my suspicions grew stronger everyday until they were confirmed.

Mudminnows are still awesome to me and they certainly are underated. They do well in community tanks of similar sized fish, so long as they get enough to eat. Often getting them on prepared foods is a process, but once that happens they seem to fend for themselves quite well even against a school of cyprinids.

Large mudminnows on the other hand with small fish. Want to see how pike stalk and attack their prey, just watch your mudminnow. Even though they don't have a bill like mouth of the Esox, they still often grab prey fish sideways, before turning them head first to swallow. It is always interesting to see that they seem to never get this wrong.

Top that with them being tough as nails, and most times becoming quite personable, and the centrals can show some really nice colors they really cannot be beat for an aquarium fish. Not to mention their small full grown size allows them to work in small aquariums.



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