Keeping Smelts Alive

[butterfingers]

Hello all,  I just started trapping my own smelts this year for my own use and to sell a few. However I cant seem to keep them alive as well as i would like. Out of 36 Dozen, I seem to lose 6-12 a day. I am doing everything I know im supposed to, water at 40 degrees in my basement, 110 gallon black rubbermaid type tank (cattle watering tank), filter system, aerators, using a little pickling salt in the water. I still seem to be having bad luck. My water comes right out of my well with no chlorine and keeps shiners and chub alive fine, but not smelt. Tried putting them in a different tank but no luck there. I do get a white foam on the top of the water wich usually goes along with dead smelt. I know of 2 people in the area that keep smelt in similar tanks and have great luck, hardly losing any. The only thing I dont have in the tank is gravel in the bottom, but I cant see that making all the difference. Anyone have any ideas, im out. Thanks and happy fishing

[Scientist]

I’ll try to make this simple as possible dying fish = poor water quality. Every type of fish has “healthy range” for survival, this includes water temp, pH, dissolved oxygen, and other chemicals in the water. First thing is, that shiners and chubs are very hardy and can tolerate less than ideal conditions. Just upon my initial guess is that your water has high ammonia levels due to due to lots of waste created by the fish (foaming of water indicates that). You can add chemicals to remove the ammonia but if you are going to always keep this tank “active” meaning always keep bait in it adding a 2” gravel bottom will allow bacteria to colonize under the gravel and help breakdown the toxic ammonia.

[butterfingers]

I thought it was ammonia too, so I changed the water, but they seem to do the worst in new water. If I use gravel do I need the kind from the pet store or could I use some regular crushed stone or peastone. Thanks

[Scientist]

The fish probably went into shock either because of temp difference of the new water being added or the vast chemical differences from what the water quality was to the new water. Pea gravel is fine just make sure to rinse it first. If you can find this product in your pet store it will help establish the bacteria quicker http://www.petco.com/product/3263/Aquarium-Products-Freshwater-Biozyme.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

[taxi1]

I was told smelt are really hard to keep alive regardless of what you do. True?

[james]

I was told smelt are really hard to keep alive regardless of what you do. True?

I can keep them for a couple of weeks in my fridge.
i just change the water every couple of days.
james

[MGK]

It could be the water. If you don't have a good water supply you will have a hard time keeping them alive. I am able to keep mine alive by changing the water twice a day. I don't try to keep more than 3 dozen at a time though.

[DasRottweiler]

 Changing only 1/3 to 1/2 of the water every 2 days would do a lot to improve water quality. Another quick fix= store the same amount of bait in 2 times the water with more aeration and filtration. Bigger tank+less bait=happy bait. When doing water changes you can use tap water ifya leave it out in a 5gal bucket with no lid for a day or 2 b4 adding to tank. Just don`t change out more than 1/2 yer water or you will shock the fish and kill em. Allways use a thermometer for less hardy bait and make sure the added water is the same temp as the tank water or same thing, shock=fish kill. Don`t overfeed ifya feed at all. I like to feed the bait the nite b4 I use em, they seem to be more active and wiggly! Overfeed = more ammonia, ammonia means bad water and dead bait. Research the food yer bait needs (for long term) and the temp they are best kept at. Use coolers in summer and heaters in winter to keep temps where the bait needs it.

[Fish Killa]

I to have trouble keeping smelt alive. They keep ending up in the frying pan.

[Nor Easter]

They are perhaps the most finicky fish in existence. If you can't keep the water at 32.5 degrees and crystal clear, it's probably not worth your time.

There's a pickling recipe' around that keeps their color and they don't get soft either but I've had a hard time finding it. Kinda like Colonel Sander's chicken...

[jacksmelt71]

my tank says at 43 f all winter and i have very few die on me. i keep them in a old freezer w/ a water pump that pumps through fiberglass insulation in a 5 gal. pail, then drops back in the tank. a little better bait and youre good to go. if i have more than 5 doz. ill add a aireator w/ a bubble curtain.  i change out the insulation and half the water once a week. ive had some smelts alive for 3 mo. in there. its all i fish with. i also noticed the bigger the smelts the hardier they are. i like the 4-6 inchers. best. i have well water from my tap that is the same temp as my tank water. they dont tolerate more than a 2 deg. diff. in water temp. when swaping out the water. good luck!

[jacksmelt71]

also a wider shallower tank is best. they need alot of room to swim to get the oxygen they need unlike minnows and suckers.