How to Raise Bass Minnows in Aquariums

Bass minnows are a hardy species of freshwater fish, which will thrive in an unheated aquarium. Raised temperatures and extended daylight hours induce breeding, so lights over the main aquarium, should be left on for up to 16 hours daily. Adult bass minnows will eat their young, so eggs must be removed to a separate hatching and rearing aquarium after they have been laid. Java moss, in which the young fish can shelter, should be placed into the rearing aquarium. The young of bass minnows will eat commercial fry food, which can be supplemented with live food such as daphnia or brine shrimp.

Things You'll Need

  • Heater for breeding minnow's aquarium
  • Lights and electrical timer for breeding minnow's tank
  • 10-gallon rearing tank
  • Heater for rearing tank
  • Box filter
  • Filter floss
  • Vibrator pump
  • 0.75-inch diameter air tubing
  • Drift wood
  • Smooth rocks
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Instructions

  1. Creating a Breeding Environment

    • 1

      Set the thermostat on an aquarium heater to 75 degrees F. Place the heater in the main aquarium, with the breeding bass minnows. Bass minnows will live in unheated aquariums, but higher temperatures will encourage breeding.

    • 2

      Place a few pieces of driftwood near the rear of this aquarium. Add three or four smooth stones into the aquarium as well. The bass minnows will deposit their eggs on these surfaces.

    • 3

      Set an electrical timer to run for 16 hours per day and plug the aquarium lights, over the breeding minnows, into the timer. Extended day light encourages spawning or breeding behavior in the bass minnow.

    Setting Up the Rearing Aquarium

    • 4

      Place a 10-gallon aquarium on a level and sturdy stand or surface.

    • 5

      Half fill this aquarium with water from the breeding bass minnow tank.

    • 6

      Place a heater into the 10-gallon aquarium. Set the temperature to 75 degrees F.

    • 7

      Remove the lid from a corner box filter and fill it with filter floss. Replace the lid.

    • 8

      Push one end of a 0.75-inch diameter piece of air tubing, onto the intake stem of the corner box filter. Place the filter in the aquarium.

    • 9

      Attach the opposite end to a vibrator pump and position the pump on a ledge above the aquarium.

    • 10

      Fill the 5-gallon bucket to the three quarter mark with tap water and add chlorine remover.

    • 11

      Add the water from the bucket to the aquarium.

    • 12

      Plug the vibrator pump and heater into a power source and turn on. Allow the water to heat up and circulate for a day.

    Transferring to the Rearing Aquarium

    • 13

      Remove the driftwood or rocks on which the bass minnow eggs were laid and place these items into the rearing aquarium.

    • 14

      Place a handful of Java moss into the 10-gallon aquarium.

    • 15

      Observe the eggs and wait for them to hatch. Bass minnow fry or young will hatch between four and eight days after the eggs were laid.

    • 16

      Feed the fry on a commercial fry diet. Supplement this diet with newly hatched brine shrimp.

    • 17

      Keep the water temperature constant at 75 degrees F and feed the young fish three times daily.