Does anyone here selectively breed sunfish

[FishFreak95]

I thought sunfish live in florida, the temperature there is ok for cichlids

 

[knifegill]

Yes, sunfish from Florida could live at tropical temps if that's the condition they were raised in. Sunfish from cooler waters will require cooler temps on the whole. Every body of water has its own version of sunfish. After a few generations, they will have adapted to a given lake, see? The strongest in a batch of fry will survive and produce the most suitable offspring for that environment. It's not as powerful of a factor as some might put forth, but natural selection does play a big part in what a fish from one body of water can tolerate in captivity.

 

[warmouth]

Yes, sunfish from Florida could live at tropical temps if that's the condition they were raised in. Sunfish from cooler waters will require cooler temps on the whole. Every body of water has its own version of sunfish. After a few generations, they will have adapted to a given lake, see? The strongest in a batch of fry will survive and produce the most suitable offspring for that environment. It's not as powerful of a factor as some might put forth, but natural selection does play a big part in what a fish from one body of water can tolerate in captivity.

I agree 100%, Longear from the South (Louisiana, and Mississipi) can live in warm water (75-80 degrees) wheres Northern Longear from say illinois would need cooler temps (as would Pumpkinseeds which are from mainly up North). A Florida Bluegill (subspecies Mysticalis), or Warmouth....or a Green Sunfish from Texas would probably do fine if they were the same size or bigger and had hiding places until they get acclimated. Joe.

 

[Louie]

I thought sunfish live in florida, the temperature there is ok for cichlids

You wont find suns in the hot areas . One type does breed in shallow sandy areas and its HOT . I dont know what type they are they make like moon craters but other than that and colder months they go to deeper areas .

I have Florida sunfish outside (hope they breed) and they are found in warm waters and do great but imagine to small with big cichlids.

This is last yrs pic his colors now as adult are stunning and I have 2 adult females with him now hope they breed.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238804&highlight=dollar+sunfish

 

[Louie]

Pumpkinseed's are such a beautiful fish....I was fishing with my cousin in PA a few years ago and he had reeled a pumpkinseed in on his pole. I was blown away by the colors of this fish and for a few mins i was thinking about bringing him home and putting him in my 180 with a few other cichlids.....but then i realized that I knew nothing about this fish and didnt know how it would do with cichlids???? Could a Pumpkinseed live with a Jaguar and Flowerhorn???

I agree they are stunning none around here but when I lived in NY saw them spawning upstate and wow what colors the males have.

Way to hot here for them .Probably prettiest native sunfish.

 

[warmouth]

Beautifull Dollar sunnie you have there......I forgot all about Redspots and Dollars live in warm temps down south (but they would definately be too small to put with large Cichlids).

 

[kjfan1]

Thanks for all the info!