Bullhead (Millers Thumb)

[NottsFishy]

Hi all I have recently set up a medium size tank which is currently cycling and doing very well so that means I've been looking at what I should keep next after looking at fish I have enjoyed keeping and those that I would like a challenge to keep I have started to think of a uk river biotope type tank now it is too small to keep the likes of perch dace roach anything like that but I do think a couple of bullhead and either minnows or sticklebacks would be a interesting and different choice of fish to keep.
Has anyone one kept them before as I have noticed there is very very little info on them for aquariums I know bullheads are carnivorous so no baby fish to be with them and they need cover to hide under.
Any help would be great thank you.

 

[fluttermoth]

Your biggest problem will be keeping the water oxygenated. As they come from cold, generally quite fast moving water, they'll need very high oxygen levels. Tanks tend to be warmer, being in a house, and warm water holds a lot less oxygen than cold does.
 
I'd suggest you do something similar to a hillstream loach set up; that would probably work for the bullheads and minnows. Sticklebacks come from stiller waters, so wouldn't need that much flow.
 
Don't forget that taking fish from the wild is illegal in many places, including the UK. Also, once you've had them in a tank, you must never release them back into the wild, just in case they pick up any non native parasites or bacteria from food or plants etc.

 

[NottsFishy]

Fluttermoth I have noticed whenever I do find information on them they do state highly oxygenated water I already have a surprisingly strong pump that creates a lot of top water agitation and live plants but may invest in a air stone.
I have no ideas of taking any fish from the wild as I don't believe that to be right and also don't want to get my feet wet lol again I'm still on the fence as whether to go for a cold water set up just yet as I am having problems cooling my tank down so a tropical tank may well be the way to go