I've been raising a bluegill, some fathead minnows, and a single channel cat (named Diego) in a 10 gallon tank in my house.

Diego tends to eat a lot of other fish; he's eaten numerous fatheads, smaller bluegill (say 1/2" long), Florida Flagfish, livebearers, and some zebra danios.

Somehow though, we were able to fatten up this one bluegill to 2" to which we thought was above Diego's eating ability. Now granted, this was one stupid bluegill as he didn't have the proper eating habits to grow larger amongst his peers (you know, spitting out food, and not pigging out).

I awoke this morning to find my bluegill half eaten and dead on the tank floor. He only had a few more weeks before being released back into one of the neighborhood retention ponds.

I had grown this bluegill from the start by taking adult bluegill from my pond in Somerset and transporting them to my neighborhood's retention ponds. This past spring '12, we had successful spawns of bluegill, fatheads, and shiners, and this now-deceased bluegill was a result of the spring's spawn, and a labor of love to stock these neighborhood ponds.

My wife and I are now pissed at Diego.

Diego needs a time out.

We're so sorry for the loss.

But, there is a real lesson in this for those of us who have catfish in our ponds.

In the latest issue of Pond Boss, Mr. Lusk says that catfish become predators at 2 lbs. Obviously Diego is no where near 2 lbs.

Season before last, we lost what I figure was 2 class years of bluegills. I initially thought it was due to the winter trout. However, as the season went on, I realized just how many big CC were in that pond. I hope to get all of them out of there this year.

Many species will do that and not just predator species. Part of it is a space/territory problem (don't get in my space). Been there many times Sunil. Warmwater fish in small aquariums are a tough road. You can learn a lot by watching them though.

Teach him a lesson. Go and get an 8 inch male BG and put him in. --

Diego is about 6" long now. I'll get some more fatheads from the bait store for him (or her), to help him fatten up for his debut in one of the retention ponds.

Typical problems with kids nowadays. Show Diego this, it might straighten him up.

For Diego

Catfish can eat some pretty amazing things. Take A look at this one I remember from Field and stream.




http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/bass-fishing/2009/09/cermele-catfish-eats-water-moccasin

Sunil Sorry for your loss.

Thanks, Guys.

I have to admit, coming home after work today just wasn't the same. Sure the wife, kids, and dogs were there...and the beers, but it just doesn't feel the same. It's kind of hollow. This bluegill was so stupid too. Stupid bluegill! I'm getting misty now.

I'm tipping one now to the memory of that stupid bluegill and to hoping Diego chokes on it.

Thank you, I needed this - hilarious.

This picture prompted me to finally post my snake story from this summmer. It's under the wildlife management thread for those that might have an interest in reading about it!

Oh, and thoroughly gross picture, Tums. Nothing to do with the catfish. That whole snake thing is just disgusting!

Sunil, put a smallmouth bass in there with him.....when we put our smallmouth in our tank our secretary HATED the smallmouth cause he tortured every other fish. Eventually one by one he killed them all!!!

Is that you Diego?

LMAO!

I had bad dreams last night. I kept hearing the Herman's Hermits song, 'I'm Into Something Good,' over and over in my head like a soundtrack to the good times me and Stupid Bluegill had.

Sounds like this thread is getting kinky.

You haven't heard the half of it Dave.

Wait until he tells you what he was wearing in this dream.

It makes a Brazillian Cut Neoprene Cod Piece sound tame.

Hold a recipe for fresh slaw and a container of cornmeal up to the side of the tank........let Diego study on that for awhile!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!