fatheads

[moosemeat]

 Hi everyone i have a question about fathead minnows. i got 3 dozen fatheads at cabelas i used about 6 when i went out fishing the rest of them i put in a small cooler i put air pump on every other day.none died in about 3 weeks. so saturday i bought 2 dozen more from a different bait shop put them down the cellar untill the next day so water temp would be same as the cooler then added put them in the next morning about 6 of the new ones were dead the next day all the new ones were dead but the older ones are still all alive i was wondering what would cause this.  Thanks         

[Chris Raymond]

Did you use city tap water without airing it for a couple of days with the new batch?  The clorine that is often added to city water needs to off gas in order for the water to be safe for the minnows.  Alternatively, there may be some chemical that you can purchase to bind and remove the clorine from the water if you don't have the time to air it out. 

[moosemeat]

 i put them in with other minnows in a cooler.the other minnow were in there for a few days i change the water twice a week only the newer minnows died .theres only about 2 dozen in a 5 gallon cooler.

[John_Boy]

I would say that the sudden change in water temperature is probably the culprit .
                                                                                 John

[Melbs7]

I would say that the sudden change in water temperature is probably the culprit .
                                                                                 John

Yup. They need to float in the new "tank" in a bag for an hour or 2 so the water temp can slowly change in the bag to that of which they will be in. It keeps them from going into "shock".

Dave

[1MOFISH]

could be old bait not as hardy my guess or the delay in putting them in new water stressed them  mo

[UPSTATE ICEMASTER]

 You have to keep fatheads cold ALL the time and give them plenty of air .... Other than that they will last for ever if ya take care of them ..