Question about storing minnows
Aug 6, 2020 17:25:55 #
So, sometimes we have minnows left over from fishing. For the longest time I used a plastic minnow bucket and if I had any left over I would put them in my garage and throw an air bubbler in there from one of my old fishtanks, and they would last three or four days. I switched to a styrofoam minnow bucket because it’s hot outside and the fish were dying in the plastic one while I was fishing, now when I come home and put the air bubbler in my styrofoam bucket, I’ll check them the next day and three or four of them will be dead and the water will smell horrible. The only thing that’s changed is the fact that I switched from a plastic bucket to a styrofoam bucket. Has this happened to anyone else?
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by jb1million
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by jb1million
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:01 #
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:10 #
Make sure you change the water every couple of days, feed them some gold fish flakes too.
You've got to basically set it up as you would an aquarium. And ensure the fish aren't stressed.
If you're catching the minnows at the spot you're fishing, you could always release them?
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by after_hours_chef
You've got to basically set it up as you would an aquarium. And ensure the fish aren't stressed.
If you're catching the minnows at the spot you're fishing, you could always release them?
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by after_hours_chef
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:14 #
I’m buying them at a store, so I don’t want to release them.
When they were in the plastic bucket, I was changing the water every couple days and they were fine, but with the styrofoam I’ll change it at night and by the time I get home from work the next day, it smells horrible and a few of the fish have died. I didn’t know if it has something to do with the fish and water sitting in the styrofoam sitting for hours on end.
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by jb1million
When they were in the plastic bucket, I was changing the water every couple days and they were fine, but with the styrofoam I’ll change it at night and by the time I get home from work the next day, it smells horrible and a few of the fish have died. I didn’t know if it has something to do with the fish and water sitting in the styrofoam sitting for hours on end.
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by jb1million
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:26 #
What was in the styrofoam box prior? The box could be contaminated.
Give it a wash with warm water and vinegar.
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by after_hours_chef
Give it a wash with warm water and vinegar.
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by after_hours_chef
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:40 #
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:45 #
There will have been a manufacturing residue on it. Give it a quick wash.
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by after_hours_chef
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by after_hours_chef
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:49 #
Aug 6, 2020 17:26:53 #
A cooler that you don’t use for drinks would work well, if you can keep it closed. If not then maybe try placing a frozen water bottle in the bucket. I am not sure if that will make it too cold but it might work to balance out the water temp.
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by goodoldtumbleweed
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by goodoldtumbleweed
Aug 6, 2020 17:52:34 #
I think I'd try combining techniques. Set the plastic minnow bucket down in a styrofoam cooler. Now you've eliminated whatever was making them stink, and moderated any temperature changes. A frozen water bottle in the corner outside of the plastic bucket might help on hot days, too.
Heck, you might consider setting up a fish aquarium in the house for your minnows! Temperatures wouldn't be a big problem, and aquariums can keep pet fish alive for years! As a fisherman, you might enjoy watching your minnows. When i was in high school, I caught a 1" long baby catfish. We kept it in with the guppies until it got about 6" long. Any time we swatted a fly, I'd hold it just over the water. He's come up and grab it.
Heck, you might consider setting up a fish aquarium in the house for your minnows! Temperatures wouldn't be a big problem, and aquariums can keep pet fish alive for years! As a fisherman, you might enjoy watching your minnows. When i was in high school, I caught a 1" long baby catfish. We kept it in with the guppies until it got about 6" long. Any time we swatted a fly, I'd hold it just over the water. He's come up and grab it.
Aug 6, 2020 18:25:32 #
Fishing Fool
Loc: redding, ca
I used to put them in my livestock tank and they do well and live nicely on mosquito larva.
Aug 6, 2020 18:25:34 #
Jwid
Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO
Plenty of good ideas. I like the aquarium idea. You could name them and then say come on Flipper let’s get a bass today. You could line the styrofoam with a trash bag.
Aug 6, 2020 19:48:43 #
Outsidetom
Loc: Fenton Mo
I put them in a styrofoam minnow bucket and put them in the refrigerator in the garage and the last along time a week or more and I change the water every three days just make the water the same temperature and no chlorine
Aug 6, 2020 20:55:50 #
Aug 6, 2020 23:28:08 #
I've kept them for a couple weeks in a 5 gallon bucket with a bubbler in it. I never feed them, it puts extra ammonia in the water and that's what kills them. The more you change your water the better and on hot days put a frozen gallon jug of water in it. The cooler the water the slower their metabolism works and they don't pollute the water as fast.
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