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How to keep minnows alive

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Big Murph
Big Murph
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Joined: 3/26/2002
Status: Offline
1/16/11 9:13 AM CST
Just curious if anyone has been successful at keeping minnows alive for a longer time that a couple days? I have a dozed large shiners that I would rather not waste and keep them until I get out on the ice again. I was thinking of keeping them in my laundry sink (not the side we use) but should I use an aeator or something else? If I have a small "pump" like a bilge pump to keep the water circulating, will that fed oxygen into the water? Any tips are appreciated. Murph

Displaying Posts 1 through 15 of 35
Beachboy
Beachboy
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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2/11/12 6:08 PM CST
I keep 2 buckets, one with the minnows and one with fresh water, let the fresh water sit until it is the same temp as the minnow water. change to fresh water every couple days. use a walmart (cheap) aerator, on all the time. gold fish flakes when needed. aeration is the key, have kept up to a month. got some right now, going 3 weeks. they dont know it yet but they are going on a big adventure tommorow. Smile

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Schmitthouse Shanties
Schmitthouse Shanties
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Joined: 1/14/2009
Status: Offline
2/10/12 10:20 PM CST
A guy had given me his minnows as he was leaving the ice & his water was blue & I asked him what was in it & he said it was oxygenating tablets? Does anyone know what type it is, because the minnows lasted alot longer with these tablets in them & the ones that they sell around here are not the same.

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fishhunter608
fishhunter608
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Joined: 12/23/2011
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2/9/12 8:13 PM CST
and do not use distilled water

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fishhunter608
fishhunter608
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Joined: 12/23/2011
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2/9/12 8:13 PM CST
change the water daily. and aquarium air pump works good too.

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chuck norris
chuck norris
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Joined: 12/29/2005
Status: Offline
2/8/12 8:09 AM CST
You can find very cheap or even free aquarium stuff on craiglist. All this cost me was a new air stone and air line. only thing that seems to be dieing is my crappie minnows

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begs
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Joined: 3/10/2010
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2/6/12 7:45 PM CST
I put mine in the garage, the trick is to keep them cool, you might lose some here and there.

I put mine in a big tool bin with an aerator, and works great, I keep the garage at 45-47degrees and keep them on the floor, I am going on 3 weeks with my fat heads and roaches....I think I only lost about 4-5 out of both doz of roaches and fat heads....

also after a few weeks I have started feeding them flake fish food, just small amounts everyday.....

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slushybeer
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Joined: 12/13/2007
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2/6/12 10:24 AM CST
I've learned that just keeping them in the garage but off the concrete floor works for about a week. Every morning I just have to make sure there isn't ice on top, scim that off and so far so good. Sure would be better if I could just find enough fish to use them all in one trip. Wink

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basshunter.
basshunter.
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Joined: 2/3/2011
Status: Offline
2/6/12 9:00 AM CST
I just keep them in the bait bucket in my garage no air no new water they just sit in the flow troll bait bucket and keep for like 2 weeks i would put them in a bigger bucket tho. And do not use water from your faucet if you live in the town do to the chlorine in the water that kills them. If your on a well your alright though.

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flatlander68
flatlander68
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Joined: 1/24/2006
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2/4/12 6:33 PM CST
Going on a month and lost just a few! (ones used 1 or 2 times didn't fare as well) I am using an old plastic aquarium, placed inside my fishing cooler(to keep from freezing on these sub-zero nights, only needed twice this year) also using an aerator(plug in from my kids fish tank) change the water gallon +/- at a time, every 2-3 days (take one --put fresh in) seems to work. I am glad it works because of lack of good bait down here!

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ducks forever
ducks forever
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Joined: 10/15/2007
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2/4/12 6:08 PM CST
i have had a bucket of shiners rosies and crappie minnows for a week now chainged the water twice and they are still kicking i keep them in a unheated area had a few of the crappie minnows die maybe 5 of them

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OUTDOORSMAN50
OUTDOORSMAN50
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Joined: 10/15/2009
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2/4/12 5:09 PM CST
I've found that by keeping the minnows and shiners cool and plenty of O2, Change water when gets cloudy, They last a LONG time...

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gamehunter
gamehunter
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Joined: 7/4/2009
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2/4/12 2:49 PM CST
I have a plastic storage tote in the basement in a cool corner on the floor. I have about 3 dozen minnows in it. I cut a hole in the top of the lid and ran an aerator into it. I have not lost a minnow to death yet since I built this and its going on 3 weeks. You do have to change out some of the water a few times a week though to keep it fresh. It gets cloudy. I thought about buying a fish tank filter, but have not gotten that far yet.

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BIGBLUETRUCK
BIGBLUETRUCK
Level: General User
Joined: 12/27/2008
Status: Offline
2/4/12 9:09 AM CST
I keep my shiners in a styryfoam bait bucket in a cool part of basement,change water every other day, do not feed and they last for weeks.

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Hooksetinventor
Hooksetinventor
Level: General User
Joined: 1/15/2008
Status: Offline
2/4/12 7:22 AM CST
I think where you get them has a lot to do with their chances...Bought a couple dozen at fleet a few weeks ago...Forgot that I didn't dump them out...Opened the bucket 8 days later after just leaving it in my garage...No aerator, no food, and plenty of crowding...and every single one was still kicking...Saved me $8 bucks that day...

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cds
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Joined: 9/18/2001
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2/4/12 5:57 AM CST
No disrespect meant,Diablo,but...Give'em a shot of Listerine once a week?...Turn them over to the air raiders.

Clean cold water and an aerator,no food,no crowding,no problem.

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Displaying Posts 1 through 15 of 35
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