Native Sunfish (local)

pmk00001 · Post by **pmk00001** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:15 am

The first is a Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), which get pretty large over the time. The second is a Bluespotted Sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), which are kind of dwarf sunfish, great for the planted tank.

Post by **krisw** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:18 am

Wow! I've been interested in trying to catch/keep the Pumpkinseeds for awhile. That Bluespotted one is quite pretty too! Do you keep them in a species tank, or are these docile enough to keep with other fish? Also, do they nest in the middle of the tank, ripping up plants?

Ltrepeter2000 · Post by **Ltrepeter2000** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:20 am

Wow, loving the Bluespotted. Definitely would be interested in trying some fry of these. What temps do you keep these at?

Thanks
Rob

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:30 am

Cool fish.

I especially like the blue spotted sunfish.

pmk00001 · Post by **pmk00001** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:40 am

Pumpkinseeds can be pretty aggressive, I actually ended up giving away the two I had in my tank as they were terrorizing some of the more timid inhabitants in my community tank. They are in a bigger tank now and from all reports are behaving themselves.

The Bluespots are really docile, I haven't seen them spawn yet though they occasionally sweep little spots in the gravel clean. I keep the Bluespots in a species only tank though they'd do fine with some local shiners or killifish. I keep all my tanks at room temp. Bluespots do best when you get them young. They are pretty much live food/frozen food fish. Pumpkinseeds eat just about anything.

Anyone interested in doing some VA collecting just let me know (fishing license required). Alternatively, I anyone wants a few fish (and doesn't like getting muddy) I'd be happy to collect some. Just drop me a PM.

Post by **krisw** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:49 am

Thanks for the info Patrick. We're actually already hoping to coordinate with Bob Bock of NANFA/GWAPA/CCA to lead a collecting trip this summer. It would be great to get both of you together to perhaps trade collection sites, and maybe dual lead a tour. I'm glad to hear that there's some interest in this already. More to come as we coordinate things.

Ltrepeter2000 · Post by **Ltrepeter2000** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:06 am

Hmmm....Summer collecting trip.....Rob's new fish room setup....Rob hosting August meeting.....what are the chances Rob planned it this way?

pmk00001 · Post by **pmk00001** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:08 am

Sounds great, I haven't met Bob yet but I know he's an extremely knowledgle native fish guy. Would love to attend and help out as best I can.

eleontie · Post by **eleontie** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:15 pm

This sounds like the best attraction so far (fish related) for this summer. I will have to dedicate some time to research about local fish suited for aquarium keeping.

I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Eugen

halak · Post by **halak** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:38 pm

By the way, Lepomis gibbosus was introduced into Europe many many years ago, and now it is established there. They are abundant in Hungary, and about 10 years ago, a friend and I caught a few (with a net) and gave them to a college to keep them. They lived for several years in a large tank by themselves, and I am pretty sure they were fed mostly dried food. They are very pretty fish.

Native Sunfish (local)

Native Sunfish (local)

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