How to Raise Minnows at Home
Raising minnows or any other kind of fish, including tropical or saltwater, requires learning some basic information about their natural environment and replicating it in a tank, pool, or pond environment at home. The better a fish owner replicates the natural environment of the minnow, minus the predators, the healthier the school of fish will be. When the fish are healthy and comfortable in a safe tank, pool, or pond, then they are more likely to breed readily, rapidly and easily. It will be imperative that the tank owner has other available tanks to house the new fish to prevent overcrowding, which can contribute to disease and poor health.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Several large fish tanks
- Water
- Chemicals to adjust the water if chlorinated
- Nets
- Rocks or pebbles for the ground
- Filter
- Air Pump and tubing
- Large rocks
- Live tank plants
- Variety of fish foods (flakes, dried brine or other additional healthy food available dried at the local store)
Instructions
-
-
1
Fill the bottom 1 or 2 inches of a large fish tank with gravel. If an underground tank filter system is being used, place gravel, rocks, or small pebbles on the filter. Large tanks include 30 gallons and larger. Tanks that are shorter with wider surface areas are more preferable than tall and skinny tanks because there is more surface area touching the air, which is better for the water quality and optimum fish health.
-
2
Fill the tank with water, test the pH, and adjust with chemicals if needed by following the direction on pH balancing chemicals.
-
-
3
Place an aeration tube into the fish aquarium or inside the underground filter tubes of the fish tank. Run the aeration pump for at least 24 hours before placing any minnows into the tank.
-
4
Select and place living plants (preferable for fish longevity and breeding) or fake plants for the tank. Live plants provide an environment for breeding and baby fish to hide from adult fish as well as oxygen for the water.
-
5
Add minnows to the fish tank and feed them a variety of food, not just flakes. Include other dried food options available in the pet section of local stores for optimum health. Feed them regularly--several times a day is preferable, to once per day. Only use enough that the fish will consume it all in a few minutes.
-
6
Remove young fish with nets and place them in their own tank to prevent overcrowding, which can contribute to poor health, disease and death.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a calculation from a fish care and/or breeding book to determine the maximum number of fish per liter of water in the aquarium. Add a tip to the aeration tubes to create lots of tiny bubbles because small bubbles will create more water circulation which increases oxygenation.
Exceeding the number of fish recommended for the fish tank will result in less oxygen per fish and can contribute to disease and death. Ensure the tank has some natural lighting or a light bulb that provides a natural light spectrum to help the plants and fish. Do not touch fish, Instead use very soft nets with fine netting to handle minnows to prevent injury to fish.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit © Andrey Sobolev | Dreamstime.com
