Catching the fry, DIY minnow traps

[Mike Patterson]

Just thought I'd pass this on -

Recently my goldfish and "shiners" spawned, I had hundreds of tiny
critters, decided to thin the ranks a bit.

Googled my heart out, found a couple of "do it yourself" minnow trap
designs.

My advice, don't bother with the "soda pop bottle" design. In three
days using two traps, I caught three fry.

The best method I found was (fanfare):
- An 18" high steel mesh office trash can from Target.

Tied a loop of string to opposite sides of the top of the can, lowered
it into the pond in an upright position.

Lots of little fishes said "cool! what's this big shiny thing? check
it out!"

Lift the can and dump the critters in the waiting tub of water,
repeat. I caught all but a few this way in about 30 minutes of
"fishing".

Now what do I do with all these little fish? I'd hate to dump 'em, but
I can't see what else to do with them. Currently they're living in a
plastic tub with a fish tank aerator and an occasional pellet of fish
food.

I really need to get the whole "planning" thing down better.


Mike Patterson
Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
"I always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific..."

[Benign Vanilla]

"Mike Patterson" > wrote in message
...
> Just thought I'd pass this on -
>
> Recently my goldfish and "shiners" spawned, I had hundreds of tiny
> critters, decided to thin the ranks a bit.
>
> Googled my heart out, found a couple of "do it yourself" minnow trap
> designs.
>
> My advice, don't bother with the "soda pop bottle" design. In three
> days using two traps, I caught three fry.
>
> The best method I found was (fanfare):
> - An 18" high steel mesh office trash can from Target.
>
> Tied a loop of string to opposite sides of the top of the can, lowered
> it into the pond in an upright position.
>
> Lots of little fishes said "cool! what's this big shiny thing? check
> it out!"
>
> Lift the can and dump the critters in the waiting tub of water,
> repeat. I caught all but a few this way in about 30 minutes of
> "fishing".
>
> Now what do I do with all these little fish? I'd hate to dump 'em, but
> I can't see what else to do with them. Currently they're living in a
> plastic tub with a fish tank aerator and an occasional pellet of fish
> food.
>
> I really need to get the whole "planning" thing down better.

I use an aquarium net, works just as well as the 'neato shiney thing'.
Stupid fry.

If you need an outlet for the fry, I'll take 'em. I have a tinfoil barb in
the house that can mow down fry by the dozens. I'd rather see your fry go to
food then to compost. I am near Baltimore, do you think they are shippable?

BV.

[noahsnana]

Mike
I had a pond builder come to give me a bid for enlarging my pond, she took
all my GF that I have been trying (begging) to give away. She says she keeps
them in a tank for when she builds a pond she gives the people some starter
fish. I was so thankful. Overpopulated waiting to build out.
"Mike Patterson" > wrote in message
...
> Just thought I'd pass this on -
>
> Recently my goldfish and "shiners" spawned, I had hundreds of tiny
> critters, decided to thin the ranks a bit.
>
> Googled my heart out, found a couple of "do it yourself" minnow trap
> designs.
>
> My advice, don't bother with the "soda pop bottle" design. In three
> days using two traps, I caught three fry.
>
> The best method I found was (fanfare):
> - An 18" high steel mesh office trash can from Target.
>
> Tied a loop of string to opposite sides of the top of the can, lowered
> it into the pond in an upright position.
>
> Lots of little fishes said "cool! what's this big shiny thing? check
> it out!"
>
> Lift the can and dump the critters in the waiting tub of water,
> repeat. I caught all but a few this way in about 30 minutes of
> "fishing".
>
> Now what do I do with all these little fish? I'd hate to dump 'em, but
> I can't see what else to do with them. Currently they're living in a
> plastic tub with a fish tank aerator and an occasional pellet of fish
> food.
>
> I really need to get the whole "planning" thing down better.
>
>
> Mike Patterson
> Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
> "I always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific..."

[Barbara2245]

Mike Patterson > wrote in message >...
> Just thought I'd pass this on -
>
> Recently my goldfish and "shiners" spawned, I had hundreds of tiny
> critters, decided to thin the ranks a bit.
>
> Googled my heart out, found a couple of "do it yourself" minnow trap
> designs.
>
> My advice, don't bother with the "soda pop bottle" design. In three
> days using two traps, I caught three fry.
>
> The best method I found was (fanfare):
> - An 18" high steel mesh office trash can from Target.
>
> Tied a loop of string to opposite sides of the top of the can, lowered
> it into the pond in an upright position.
>
> Lots of little fishes said "cool! what's this big shiny thing? check

Take the fry to the pet store to trade them for merchandise. This year
I have made $16 on my 70 plus fantail fry. Happy water gardening.

> it out!"
>
> Lift the can and dump the critters in the waiting tub of water,
> repeat. I caught all but a few this way in about 30 minutes of
> "fishing".
>
> Now what do I do with all these little fish? I'd hate to dump 'em, but
> I can't see what else to do with them. Currently they're living in a
> plastic tub with a fish tank aerator and an occasional pellet of fish
> food.
>
> I really need to get the whole "planning" thing down better.
>
>
> Mike Patterson
> Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
> "I always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific..."

[T]

Advertise the golides for feeders.. Dang @ 5cents a piece I am certain you
can make a tidy little profit and a whole lot of Oscar owners happy in your
area. Who knows, you might be able to buy some new plants or something else
for the pond with the fry's income..

Tim
"noahsnana" > wrote in message
...
> Mike
> I had a pond builder come to give me a bid for enlarging my pond, she took
> all my GF that I have been trying (begging) to give away. She says she
keeps
> them in a tank for when she builds a pond she gives the people some
starter
> fish. I was so thankful. Overpopulated waiting to build out.
> "Mike Patterson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Just thought I'd pass this on -
> >
> > Recently my goldfish and "shiners" spawned, I had hundreds of tiny
> > critters, decided to thin the ranks a bit.
> >
> > Googled my heart out, found a couple of "do it yourself" minnow trap
> > designs.
> >
> > My advice, don't bother with the "soda pop bottle" design. In three
> > days using two traps, I caught three fry.
> >
> > The best method I found was (fanfare):
> > - An 18" high steel mesh office trash can from Target.
> >
> > Tied a loop of string to opposite sides of the top of the can, lowered
> > it into the pond in an upright position.
> >
> > Lots of little fishes said "cool! what's this big shiny thing? check
> > it out!"
> >
> > Lift the can and dump the critters in the waiting tub of water,
> > repeat. I caught all but a few this way in about 30 minutes of
> > "fishing".
> >
> > Now what do I do with all these little fish? I'd hate to dump 'em, but
> > I can't see what else to do with them. Currently they're living in a
> > plastic tub with a fish tank aerator and an occasional pellet of fish
> > food.
> >
> > I really need to get the whole "planning" thing down better.
> >
> >
> > Mike Patterson
> > Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
> > "I always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific..."
>
>