How big of a tank will I need for 2 bluegill and a perch?

Question

I assume the bluegill will reach 10-11 inches and the perch maybe 14

Answer 1

Those are uncommon fish to keep. Are you catching them yourself?

120 Gallons minimum would be my guess. They're big fish to start with & since they're river fish they probably like to swim a lot. The longer the tank, the happier they'll be.

Answer 2

If you plan on catching bluegill, which usually won't grow larger than around 8" However a perch can reach over 15". Perch are more or less lower water fish, tending to keep to the bottom of the tank. Bluegill are a little more agressive when feeding time comes. However even catching babies (which are fun to watch) be sure plants are also available in the tank.

You should not go any smaller than a 30-40 gallon tank. more longer and flatter than higher. Rule of thumb on these kind of fish is not 1" per gallon, they fall under pond fish which the rule of thumb is 1" of fish for every square foot of SURFACE (water) However, my daughter raised albino cats, baby bluegill, baby crappie and small bass in our 40 gallon. We turned them loose after about a year. These were small fish and starting to grow rapidly. They did not eat fish food. We fed them worms, minnows and maggots. We actually tagged them before we released them. The bass was caught 2 years later by an 8 year old boy. The fish was 17". (He released it)

Since they are cold water fish, no heater is necessary.

The fish endure an average summer temperature of 80 F and an average winter temperature of about 40 F. Forty percent water changes are generally made once a week in the spring and fall but usually every few days in the summer. Twenty-five percent water changes are made about once a month in the winter (when water temperatures are consistently below 55 F). Do not be lax on your water changes. These guys are really big eaters and big waste producers.

you should have no problems. If you intend to breed bluegill, remember most female blue gills do not just breed with one male. To ensure their young's survival, the will breed with many males. your female could possiably become egg bound and you will eventually have to self fertalize (removing the female's eggs and the males sperm)
Here is a cool web site to check out some one who breeds blue gill.

http://www.aquariumlife.net/articles/native-fish/69.asp

Drift wood, gravel, sand, rocks are all good to have in your tank. Just remember don't overpopulate your tank. your fish like to swim.

Answer 3

100 gallons will do. I had a 14" large mouth bass in a 50 gallon tank and he was fine but a little crowded. The important thing is to double up your filtration. Put in an under gravel filter and a power filter as a minimum.

Answer 4

I'd say at least 120,if not larger (with fish of this size,typically the larger the better is the best way to go). I completely agree with the wavemaker idea-a bubble curtain might be nice for them,too.

Answer 5

I agree w/the 120 gallons statement, but just wanted to add that you may want to get some sort of wavemaker to create a little current for those guys. The closer you can simulate their natural environment, the more natural behavior you'll see. Good luck!

Answer 6

Yep, 120 gallons, add very heavy filtration because bluegills are poop machines.

Answer 7

my suggestion....a pond or a river... they do well in both environments