Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait Raising forage over winter?

Hey everyone. Got a question on minnows not sure what they are but I think they are gambs there are millions of them. I got to thinking Would it be possible to put a tank in my garage over the winter and raise forage for next spring, would they reproduce? The tank would be indoors and heated with a tank heater. How big of a tank would I need? What temps would I need to get them to spawn? This year there wasnt hardly any in the pond till now and they are all very little. I think they are dying over the winter. So I was just thinking if I could raise abunch over the winter what do you think any ideas.

Can you post a pic of the minnow ? If we can id it then the chance of providing solid answers is much better. Most fish require the correct photo-period (light amount) and water temp for spawning.

thanks for the reply ewest ill get the camera out tomorrow after work and take a few pics. They are staying up around the shore and around reeds. I put in about 10 doz gambs last year and they reproduced like mad. But I havent seen none untill about 2 weeks ago and now they are everyware. Kinda late in the year I think.
will put up pics tomorrow thanks
Gene

If the fish hang around near the surface and skimming the surface film, then they are likely Gambusia. A close photo of a few would be helpful for a positive identification. Gambusia are easy to raise indoors. Instead of trying to get them to reproduce, focus on keeping them healthy (good filtration) and getting them to adult sizes so when spring comess they are ready to start reproducing as soon as the water gets warm enough. This then should produce a big crop of them next summer if your fish don't eat them as fast as they are hatched.

Can crawfish be raised the same way?

Here ya go...



Gene