Florida Bass Fishing Forum
Smallmouth, Largemouth, We're All About Bass!

I "Adopted" a smallmouth bass today. can i get some tips on keeping him happy?

I know it's a him, because he's y'know. But we were fishing and i caught him and didn't really want to eat him because it's my first smallie this year. So, he's about a foot 15 inches long. he's currently in a 50 gallon aquarium 4/5th the way full with 10 goldfish in it. but he's not moving he's just sitting on the bottom. should i just give him a while?
goldfish are there as food

Public Comments

1. Sorry, but if he's not used to that water (it's not pond water) he's probly gonna die soon. So if you can, get pond water (might kill the goldfish, though) and he might live. Or hurry and bring him back to his home water, but if he dies, eat him. Oh, if he lives, he'll most likely eat all your goldfish.

2. I tend to agree with summer. I've attempted to do the same thing but the end result was disastrous for the fish. But, alas, Cabelas in Boise has smallies in aquariums. They're larger than 50 gallons and they just hug the bottom. They're large and healthy looking. I think a wild raise bass could have a difficult time adjusting to such a small environment.

3. Release him or eat him. A typical 50 gallon tank is about 3 feet at it's maximum width. He may have a bit of room now but if he survives, it will not last very long. You are not dealing with a store bought fish who has lived it's entire life in a fish tank. This guy is used to patrolling the relatively large water he lived in looking for food and competing for territory. Honestly, I will be surprised if he lasts more than a couple of days. You likely changed the water he was living in and his food source will be completely different. If he survives, his next food source is going to be those goldfish.

4. needs more room and food

5. Small mouth are roaming fish and are constantly on the move and to be put in that tank is bad news, kind of like putting a wolf in a cage. If your not going to eat it please release him back to his home waters.