How to Raise Minnows

Raise your own minnows for fun or profit.

If you know anything about fishing then you know that minnows are the "catch all" bait. There's not a fisherman alive that hasn't baited his hook with a minnow. Fish farms also use minnows to stock their breeding tanks to feed the bigger fish they are raising. In most cases they are raising their own minnows for this very purpose. If you are interested in raising minnows for personal use or to sell for profit it's not very hard to get started.

Things You'll Need

• Tank
• Nonchlorinated water
• Spawning object
• Aerator
• Feed

Instructions

1. Choose a tank to hold your minnows. Base your decision on how many minnows you want to raise and where you plan to locate the tank. If you only want to raise a few minnows, an aquarium that sits in the house might suit your needs. If you are planning to raise a larger number, a stock tank would work perfectly. Whichever tank you choose, be sure to wash it out with soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

2. Fill the tank with clean, nonchlorinated water. Filtered water can be used. Chlorine-removing drops and tablets are also available. If you choose to remove the chlorine from the water, read and follow manufacturer's instructions carefully. It is important to keep the water at a consistent level.

3. Prepare the tank for breeding by submersing objects under the water where females can spawn (lay their eggs). This can be as simple as a clay flower pot or rock to breeding caves and spawning mops purchased from a supplier. Now is the time to add foliage to the tank if you are planning to.

4. 

   Select an aerator that best fits your needs. Aerators come in many sizes and types. Fountain aerators oxygenate the water by sucking water into the pump and pushing it out the top. Diffused aerators oxygenate the water by pumping air into a diffuser, which is placed at the bottom of the tank and forces the air upward. Electric and solar-powered aerators are available.

5. Purchase or catch the minnows you want to use as breeders. Minnows can be trapped or seined out of local creeks or lakes. They can also be purchased from bait shops or fish farms. If none of the options is available to you there are many online sites available.

6. Temper the minnows before freeing them into their new home. Tempering allows the minnows to adjust to the water of the tank and reduces the stress placed on them. Tempering is done by adding about a quart of your tank water to the container the minnows are in. Keep adding quarts of water until the water in the container reaches the same temperature as the tank water. Once tempered the minnows can be gently lowered into the tank and allowed to swim out.

7. Feed your minnows two to three times a day. In the wild minnows feed mostly on plant materials but in captivity it is necessary to purchase fish flakes and high-fat components, which can be purchased from a supplier. Some breeders choose to feed their minnows frozen brine shrimp while others feed their minnows oatmeal.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet shops are good resources for information on raising fish and any problems you might encounter along the way.

• Keeping adult minnows well-fed will keep them from eating their babies.

• Do not overfeed your minnows.

Resources

• Fish Breeding Supplies
• The Minnow King (Minnow Farm)