That would make more sense now that you mention it. Very truthful observation regarding tank size. If they grow to a foot I think I'll hold back and go with the parrot. Best part of the experience to me is watching them grow from little skittish buggers to massive full grown beauties. Cheers
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I have caught 15" bluegills. They are the biggest of the Lepomis genus sunfish.
A better fit would be the Green Sunfish. They max out at around 8". They have better tolerance of low oxygen conditions than Bluegills also.
They look extremely similar in appearance to the Bluegill with a few distinguishing features.
1. The Green sunfish is a more elongated Lepomis than the Bluegill. (The Bluegill is basically "round" from a profile shot, while the much smaller Green sunny is shaped more like a LM-Bass.
2. There is no mistaking the two species if the mouth is closely examined. (Not in the same ballpark) Again, the much smaller Green sunfish is far closer to it's cousin the largemouth bass while the Bluegills have itty bitty tiny weeny mouths like Longear sunfish. (I would go as far as to say that a 4" juvenile green sunfish would still have a larger mouth than a citation 15" bluegill.
3. Aggression. (Yes different individuals in just about any semi-aggressive species range greatly, but in general the green sunfish are far more aggressive and violent!
Don't worry, your most important feature is still in abundance with the smaller Green sunfish. Those sharp fins will cut up a hand real purty like. JUST BLEED!
