question regarding sucker minnows

[huzzsaba]

In preparations for ice fishing, I picked up half dozen sucker minnows since I was in the area of the tackle shop and didn't want to miss out purchasing them last minute. I asked for the bigger size ones (for pike) and was told that they would be 5-6 inches long. I should have checked the size properly but upon bringing them home, they seem to be longer than I was expecting which is fine, however they seem to be too crowded in my small tank. I had initially bought a 5 gallon tank for leftover shiner minnows so now there are 5 suckers and 1 chub minnow in there which are all in the 7-8 inch range. The chub seems to be the troublemaker and goes all crazy every little while which makes the suckers jump. I seriously thought one would come flying out of the tank so I had to put some weight on the tank cover so it wouldnt fly open.

 

My question is, will they be fine for 2 weeks in the tank? Do I need to feed them? I use to give the shiners fish food I had leftover from my goldfish days and they loved it.

 

I don't have plans to get a bigger tank so I just want to keep them comfortable in whatever space is available in the tank and keep them fed for the next 2 weeks. worst case, despite my efforts and intentions to keep them alive, if they die I will freeze them.

 

Thanks

[chris.brock]

I wouldn't feed them. Keep them cool in the cold cellar or garage with an aerator running too. Maybe get rid of the chub if he is ruining the vibe.

Edited January 16, 2016 by chris.brock

[ckewley]

Don't feed them,, they'll be fine. It's not necessary their excrement you need worry about but their pee..... but what do I know I'm pissed & I'm rocking out to The Sword: Gods Of The Earth \m/ \m/

[Gnote]

Do a few water exchanges and keep it cold you should be fine. Trust me when i say those minnows arent too big for pike, ive seen a hammer handle try to eat a 10" sucker... Key word being try lol.

[Joeytier]

Add a bunch of salt to the water to scent them up

 

I'd rather have dead minnows for pike any day of the week

[mike rousseau]

For sure keep them coverx or you'll find em on the floor

 

If possible keep them cold... Really cold.... My understanding is they'll use less oxygen and their metabolism slows down in the cold... Meaning the small tank will then be ok...

 

2 weeks I wouldn't worry about food... We have kept minnows for 2 months... Then they need food... But they do start attacking and eating the smaller minnows in the tank.... If you put smaller minnows in with that chub it'll start biting their heads off

[huzzsaba]

Thanks for the replies. I have been checking up on them and the suckers seem to just sit at the bottom and the chub is the one looking to stir things up lol. I do have a 2 inch shiner in there so thinking of using the chub for some fishing within close proximity to where I am within this week.

 

The only place I can think of is lakefront promenade since I hear from a lot of people there are pike there including tackle shops in the area. I haven't seen one or had any bites in the few hours I fished there on multiple days. perhaps a nice large juicy chub will do the trick

Edited January 16, 2016 by huzzsaba

[Rizzo]

Ya chubs are jerks

[Joeytier]

Eat the chub and save the rest for the gators.