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#1 Guest_Marshall_*

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Posted 23 September 2008 - 10:21 PM

This summer a friend got me into fly fishing, so when I found this forum trout instantly came to mind. How would one go about keeping trout in an aquarium? Has anyone tried it? would refrigeration be necessary? Trout require narrower parameters than sunfish or bass, so I'd imagine they'd be a little bit more of a challenge. But a few small brook trout might not be that difficult to maintain.

BTW, I'm an aquaria newbie, right now I'm starting a 10 gallon tropical community tank in my dorm room, almost all native fish are way outside the bounds of practicality for me.

#2 Guest_Sombunya_*

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Posted 23 September 2008 - 10:38 PM

I have never tried keeping Trout but the Biologist at work says any water temp above 75 degrees f and the Trout don't do good. That means a chiller is needed and the cheapest I've seen them for, brand new, was about $450 USD.

For what it's worth, the mountain streams they live in are very cold. I would imagine about 50 degrees or so. One of the engineers where I work also commented that they are not the hardiest of fish. Very difficult to transport from the stream to the home.

#3 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 23 September 2008 - 10:51 PM

Legal issues of keeping trout (depending on documented origin) in many states aside, they usually require refrigerated water in very large tanks (>100 gallons) with a low population density. They're messy eaters with high potential for polluting water. A very few people successfully keep trout in aquaria. But it often seems like a good idea to some people....

#4 Guest_Marshall_*

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Posted 23 September 2008 - 11:11 PM

So it sounds like trout would be a pretty expensive option, both in money and labor. So you'd need a really big tank, powerful filtration, and a chiller... Still, the vision of 2-3 vibrantly colored brook trout cruising in a large aquarium is pretty attractive haha

The one place where I have seen trout in an aquarium is the New England Aquarium in Boston. They have a small exhibit with a few large tanks of native fish. The trout tank there is basically a replica of a small but deep pool below a waterfall. They had about 30 12-14 inch brook trout.

#5 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 07:01 AM

Yeah, the NE Aq has one of the best trout exhibits I've seen, with the fish looking healthy even at high density. It's a fun thought of a trout stream in New England without browns or rainbows.

#6 Guest_midge_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 07:23 AM

I kept a small rainbow (3-4in) in a tank for a while with good success, I just kept the tank in the basement and it stayed cool, in the upper 60's wich is about as high as I would try it. I kept high flow in the tank and fed him frozen bloodworms, he schooled right in with the shiners and dace up until someone unpluged my pump and wiped out my tank (I'm still mad about it). this all being said I wont try and keep one again unless I had better equipment, they are difficult to keep and that was the only tank I was able to keep sculpins alive in as well, I'm to lazy to put forth that much effort again.

#7 Guest_scottefontay_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 08:04 AM

almost all native fish are way outside the bounds of practicality for me.


POPPYCOCK [-X There are many native fish that are as easy, if not easier to keep than tropicals, and don't require a heater either.

Edited by scottefontay, 24 September 2008 - 08:05 AM.


#8 Guest_uniseine_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 09:15 AM

POPPYCOCK [-X There are many native fish that are as easy, if not easier to keep than tropicals, and don't require a heater either.


Here is a very incomplete list for a 10 gallon.
I have had experience with most of these.
(from http://www.nanfa.org/checklist.shtml)

Cyprinella spiloptera (Cope 1867); Spotfin Shiner
Luxilus zonatus (Agassiz 1863); Bleeding Shiner
Lythrurus fasciolaris (Gilbert 1891); Scarlet Shiner
Lythrurus matutinus (Cope 1870); Pinewoods Shiner
Notropis baileyi Suttkus & Raney 1955; Rough Shiner
Notropis chalybaeus (Cope 1867); Ironcolor Shiner
Notropis chiliticus (Cope 1870); Redlip Shiner
Notropis chlorocephalus (Cope 1870); Greenhead Shiner
Notropis harperi Fowler 1941; Redeye Chub
Notropis petersoni Fowler 1942; Coastal Shiner
Notropis procne (Cope 1865); Swallowtail Shiner
Notropis rubellus (Agassiz 1850); Rosyface Shiner
Notropis telescopus (Cope 1868); Telescope Shiner
Notropis texanus (Girard 1856); Weed Shiner
Pimephales promelas promelas Rafinesque 1820; Fathead Minnow
Pteronotropis hypselopterus (Günther 1868); Sailfin Shiner
Pteronotropis signipinnis (Bailey & Suttkus 1952); Flagfin Shiner
Rhinichthys atratulus (Hermann 1804); Eastern Blacknose Dace
Erimyzon tenuis (Agassiz 1855); Sharpfin Chubsucker
Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill 1817); Tadpole Madtom
Umbra limi (Kirtland 1840); Central Mudminnow
Aphredoderus sayanus sayanus (Gilliams 1824); Eastern Pirate Perch
Kryptolebias marmoratus (Poey 1880); Mangrove Rivulus SPECIES OF CONCERN
Rivulus tenuis (Meek 1904); Maya Rivulus
Fundulus blairae Wiley & Hall 1975; Western Starhead Topminnow
Fundulus chrysotus (Günther 1866); Golden Topminnow
Fundulus cingulatus Valenciennes 1846; Banded Topminnow
Fundulus dispar (Agassiz 1854); Starhead Topminnow
Fundulus escambiae (Bollman 1887); Russetfin Topminnow
Fundulus lineolatus (Agassiz 1854); Lined Topminnow
Fundulus notatus (Rafinesque 1820); Blackstripe Topminnow
Leptolucania ommata (Jordan 1884); Pygmy Killifish
Lucania goodei Jordan 1880; Bluefin Killifish
Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard 1853); Western Mosquitofish
Gambusia holbrooki Girard 1859; Eastern Mosquitofish
Heterandria formosa Agassiz 1855; Least Killifish
Allotoca goslinei Smith & Miller 1987; Banded Allotoca
Jordanella floridae Goode & Bean 1879; Flagfish
Enneacanthus gloriosus (Holbrook 1855); Bluespotted Sunfish
Lepomis marginatus (Holbrook 1855); Dollar Sunfish
Etheostoma caeruleum caeruleum Storer 1845; Rainbow Darter
Etheostoma fusiforme fusiforme (Girard 1854); Swamp Darter
Etheostoma microperca Jordan & Gilbert 1888; Least Darter
Etheostoma nigrum nigrum Rafinesque 1820; Central Johnny Darter
Etheostoma spectabile spectabile (Agassiz 1854); Orangethroat Darter
Elassoma evergladei Jordan 1884; Everglades Pygmy Sunfish
Elassoma okefenokee Böhlke 1956; Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish
Elassoma zonatum Jordan 1877; Banded Pygmy Sunfish

#9 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 10:18 AM

Phil, you neglected Fundulus catenatus and stellifer... But really, that's an impressive list in a form that I don't think I've seen before. There's a wide range of options without touching the more vulnerable species.

#10 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 12:51 PM

Yeah, the NE Aq has one of the best trout exhibits I've seen, with the fish looking healthy even at high density. It's a fun thought of a trout stream in New England without browns or rainbows.



LL Bean in Freeport Me used to have a real nice indoor stream with some of the nicest looking brookies you'd ever see. Not much in the way of underwater viewing however.
When BPS came to New England, Bean must have felt they needed to keep up and built a big stream display which is mostly underwater viewing. Unfortunately they added brown and rainbow trout as well as albino atlantic salmon. You can read a short account of my visit and see a few pics here: LL Bean

To answer the original question, yes, trout can be kept under special conditions at home. Definately not by a beginner with a ten gallon tank in a dorm room though.
Here's one I kept for a long time but later evicted for not playing well with others.
Posted Image

#11 Guest_Marshall_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 07:03 PM

Wow, that's quite a list... Which ones can be found in New Hampshire or Massachussets?

Honestly, despite spending a lot of time going after game fish, mostly with spinning tackle before I started fly fishing, I never learned all that much about the smaller native fish (the ones anglers just lump into the "baitfish" or "minnow" category.) The ones I've seen in New England don't seem that interesting to keep in an aquarium. The shiners and chubs, as well as the small minnows you'll see in streams, don't seem all that colorful.

But I could be wrong, I've never seen any of these fish under good lighting like you'll see in aquaria.

I have an extra un-used 10 gallon tank at home, next summer I might try and set that up with some natives when I have more free time.

Thanks for all the replies!

#12 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 08:28 PM

Wow, that's quite a list... Which ones can be found in New Hampshire or Massachussets?


Rhinichthys atratulus, Eastern Blacknose Dace is a very common Massachusetts dace and excellent captive.
Etheostoma fusiforme fusiforme, Swamp Darter is also common and a good captive but found in a different habitat.
Enneacanthus obesus, banded sunfish is not on the list but is a common Ma native and great captive for a ten gallon tank. They are found in the same habitat as the swamp darter and the two would make a cool Ma swamp tank.
Fundulus diaphanus, banded killifish, also not on the list, is another common Ma native and could be kept in a ten gallon tank.
There are others but you get the idea.
I highly recommend you get The Inland Fishes of Massachusetts by Hartell et all available from the Mass Audubon Society.

#13 Guest_Sombunya_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 10:24 PM

The Scupin I have are very strange in that they have the reputation on living inside of the Ozone contact basin where I work, can live outside of water for an unbelievably long time but cannot handle temps much above 85 degrees F.

I now have ten small ones in a tank that is probably in the mid to high 70 degree range and they are as healthy as can be.
The Bluegill I have are tough as nails.

Maybe some natives are difficult to keep. The ones I have are easy, and lots of fun.

#14 Michael Wolfe

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 10:39 PM

POPPYCOCK [-X There are many native fish that are as easy, if not easier to keep than tropicals, and don't require a heater either.


I was going to write something similar, but since you already did and since Phil provided a listing of fishes, I will provide a real world example instead... from middle georgia... I have three pteronotropis stonei and two swamp darters in a six gallon eclipse for my wife's office and they are all doing quite well, eating flake food, no heater required, beautiful small fish, different behaviours, what more could you ask for?
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#15 Guest_uniseine_*

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 10:46 PM

I was going to write something similar, but since you already did and since Phil provided a listing of fishes, I will provide a real world example instead... from middle georgia... I have three pteronotropis stonei and two swamp darters in a six gallon eclipse for my wife's office and they are all doing quite well, eating flake food, no heater required, beautiful small fish, different behaviours, what more could you ask for?


Remove the swamp darters,
and with some Java Moss,
you might find Stonei fry.

Edited by uniseine, 24 September 2008 - 10:48 PM.


#16 Guest_Marshall_*

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Posted 25 September 2008 - 12:12 AM

Rhinichthys atratulus, Eastern Blacknose Dace is a very common Massachusetts dace and excellent captive.
Etheostoma fusiforme fusiforme, Swamp Darter is also common and a good captive but found in a different habitat.
Enneacanthus obesus, banded sunfish is not on the list but is a common Ma native and great captive for a ten gallon tank. They are found in the same habitat as the swamp darter and the two would make a cool Ma swamp tank.
Fundulus diaphanus, banded killifish, also not on the list, is another common Ma native and could be kept in a ten gallon tank.
There are others but you get the idea.
I highly recommend you get The Inland Fishes of Massachusetts by Hartell et all available from the Mass Audubon Society.



Wow, I see the blacknose dace ALL the time in small streams! just never really knew what it was. It's funny though, I've never really noticed any banded sunfish, I suppose they are too small to go after lures or flies. A heavily planted 10 gallon tank with 3 banded sunfish and a few swamp darters could be pretty neat (another species I've never really noticed before).

Another random question : this summer I was out in the canoe in a swampy, slow flowing stream that emptied out of a small kettle pond, and ran into a LARGE school of bait fish that startled at the shadow of the canoe, and were jumping out of the water in all directions. The surface was practically boiling with them. I might go and try collecting fish there next spring, any thoughts on what I might expect?

#17 Guest_jblaylock_*

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Posted 25 September 2008 - 07:31 AM

Slow moving water and fish jumping out sounds like Brook Silversides aka skipjacks. Can you tell if the fish jumping are big or small? I suppose Silverside reach lengths of 3-4 inches. Search the forum for info on them, most say they are hard to keep and the one I caught died within hours.

Also, various "minnow" type fish in low water levels will often be at the top of the water and when startled they will swim off with a "kick". This "kick" makes the water look like it's boiling. This could be many different kinds of fish, but if they are actually jumping, it could be Silversides.

#18 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 25 September 2008 - 11:40 AM

Marshall, you need to add some general location info to your profile so we can tell what kind of fish you have in your area.

From things you said I have deduced you are in New Hampshire or Massachusetts [my stomping grounds]. Therefore your leaping baitfish were not likely to be silversides unless you were in or very near saltwater. Impossible to tell really from the description but I'd guess golden shiners as they are by far the most abundant baitfish in our area, especially in slow weedy water.

You are correct to say banded sunnies are too small to be taken incidentally by anglers. Most anglers have never seen one even though there were probably a dozen specimens within dip net reach from the favorite fishing spot. :wink:
BTW, your "... swampy, slow flowing stream that emptied out of a small kettle pond" is perfect habitat for both swamp darters and banded sunfish. Get you a dip net and start dragging it through the weeds along shore. Look very closely at the mud and muck you scoop up. Swamp darters are small and difficult to spot.

#19 Guest_Marshall_*

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Posted 25 September 2008 - 03:52 PM

Marshall, you need to add some general location info to your profile so we can tell what kind of fish you have in your area.

From things you said I have deduced you are in New Hampshire or Massachusetts [my stomping grounds]. Therefore your leaping baitfish were not likely to be silversides unless you were in or very near saltwater. Impossible to tell really from the description but I'd guess golden shiners as they are by far the most abundant baitfish in our area, especially in slow weedy water.


Location info added! I grew up a little ways west of Nashua, go to college in Worcester MA, and somehow wind up spending a lot of time in the Northampton MA / Amherst MA area :tongue: :blink:


Given their habitat, what substrate is best for swamp darters in an aquarium?

#20 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 25 September 2008 - 05:05 PM

Location info added! I grew up a little ways west of Nashua, go to college in Worcester MA


You're right in my neighborhood. Prolly pass within a few miles of me when you go back and forth betwen Worchester and Nashua.

...somehow wind up spending a lot of time in the Northampton MA / Amherst MA area :tongue: :blink:


Don't tell me, you have friends at ZooMass, right? Lot's of good collecting oppurtunities out that way. Ever check out the fish ladder at the Turner's Falls dam? Go in May when the migration is on. You'll see some amazing fish. I think UMass students still count fish there at that time.

Given their habitat, what substrate is best for swamp darters in an aquarium?


I've had good luck with plain old sand from my kids' sandbox. I've seen them in sand bottomed ponds often. Never on anything resembling gravel though.




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