Introducing Minnows to Ponds
You can enrich your pond with minnows. Fathead minnows assimilate quickly to ecosystems. They spawn beneath plants, logs or rocks, creating nests the size of a teacup. Recommended stocking rate is 2,000 minnows per acre. They are not usually added to established bass ponds since bass will eat them. Supplement their diet with fish food weekly. Minnows eat insects and algae. In lakes, they are prey for crappies, rock bass, walleyes and pike. Consider population control as they spawn frequently. Benefits include natural pest control and new food sources.
Selecting the Right Minnows
If you have a small or medium-sized pond, the rosy red minnows are a good choice. They are bright, colorful, and make an attractive addition to your pond. For a thriving population, your pond should hold at least 20 gallons of water. Fathead minnows offer forage to ponds which have recently been stocked with bass and bluegill, as they spawn in spring before the bluegill’s spawning begins.
Feeding and Caring for Minnows
It is a good idea to supplement commercial food with dried bloodworms or brine shrimp. Rosy Red Minnows, like the Mosquito Fish, will help keep the insect population down and dine on excess algae, too. They can be co-habited with koi and goldfish, potentially helping these other fish feel more comfortable and be more active. Goldfish may eat small minnows, so it’s important to consider the sizes of the fish when adding minnows to a pond with goldfish.
Maintaining a Healthy Minnow Population
Ensure that the pond has a shallow area of maximum 4 inches depth with oxygen-producing plants for minnow propagation. Fathead minnows should be kept with an adequate number of their species in the pond. If overcrowding occurs, it can make your pond water murky and quite unpleasant, and minnows need aerated water to survive. They do not necessarily need to be fed fish food if they are used as bait in a bass and bluegill pond.
Keeping Minnows Alive
Install an aerator or waterfall and add floating plants to help keep the water cool. Overcrowding can be prevented by managing the minnow population carefully. A pond of at least 20 gallons can accommodate colorful rosy red minnows. Before purchasing, research your minnow breed as some have special requirements, and always ensure you start with healthy minnows.
In order to keep the minnows alive and well, maintain proper water quality by regularly testing for ammonia and nitrates, feeding them suitable food, and providing enough space. An aerated water system or device can help maintain oxygen levels, and maintaining the pond at approximately 50 degrees can also contribute to the well-being of minnows.