Posted 20 December 2008 - 09:56 AM
Back to the original topic, keeping trout in aquaria.
Generally the info provided is accurate. But, there are major differences by species and genera.
Rainbows are probably the easiest kept without chillers, fingerlings can be kept well in 55-75 gallon tanks with excellent filtration and water movement to keep the oxygen up. Brownies next, but again size means newer and bigger quarters. Both can do alright in an unheated tank in a cool area.
I have kept both, plus Brook Trout in 55-100 gallon aquaria in grad school to keep brood stock and didnt have a chiller on them.
Chillers are now available much more reasonably, a few under $200.
Heat is not as great a danger as low oxygen is, and pollution.
I'm planning a small home project this spring with Brookies, in outdoor stock tanks, 300 gallon size and air pumps and filtration, meanwhile I am going to be looking for a source of both Grayling and one of the Cutthroats. These tanks will also be shaded. These for sure arenot 10 gallon tank fish.
Generally the three, Brook Trout, Cutthroat and Graylings have similar requirements with the Grayling the least tolerant of high temps and low oxygen.
I am in the NE part of Michigan, last year we didnt have a single day hit 90F here, and only a few in the mid 80s, very few.
For home keeping of natives all the ones listed are very good, my own favorites are the Sunfish family, I love the Lepomis.
Trout are not impossible, but they are with low oxygen, and poor water quality. They can be tolerant of warmer temps if the other parameters are in line. By warmer I mean up to 80 for short periods. For Rainbows. The others the mid 70s would be as high as I'd let them grow, and not above 70 for Grayling. Preferably in the lower 60s.