Green sunfish tank mates?

[AutumnEffect]

I recently picked up 3 juvenile sunfish, which appear to be green sunfish according to my research. The largest is about 2.5" and the other two are approximately 1".

They are currently in my unheated 20L with 5 blacknose dace, 2 unknown silvery minnows, 1 male odessa barb, 1 male checker barb and a small crawfish. There were more barbs, but they have since died off and I don't want to risk any aggression by adding new ones.

I only plan on keeping one of the sunfish, a female. I need to pick up a better magnifying glass and see if I can vent sex the larger one at least.

Several things I have read about the green sunfish compare them to a Jack Dempsey in terms of aggression and that female greens are fairly laid back and get along ok with tank mates.

The ultimate goal is a 90 gallon (or larger) tank. I would like to keep a female green with some other fish. Would using dither fish of some sort be an option with her? If so, what max size would I be looking for? I am not opposed to adding tropicals that prefer cooler water. I would rather have a school of smaller fish than another large fish or two.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Oh, and since all threads need pictures, here is my 20L, and two pictures of the larger sunfish:

 

[AutumnEffect]

Feel free to tell this whole idea won't work. LOL I have found some conflicting info on the web as with everything, but I know there are people here with green sunfish experience.

And if a single male is a better choice, please let me know. I've never dealt with sunfish before, always minnows and darters.

 

[Jmart159]

I don't think it is a bad idea at all. As long as you upgrade from the 20 to at least a 55 when the time comes you should be fine with a green sunfish. So, a 90 will be plenty. As far as smaller dithers for the tank I can't really help you. I'm not that great with the cold water species. However, if you are just looking for another tank mate, you might think about a yellow bullhead. They stay pretty small and share the same waters as green sunfish. Anyway, good luck with it. Natives can be pretty awesome.

 

[fisher12889]

I agree with native, those are most likely bluegill. This could be a little better for you because they generally don't seem as aggressive as greens IMO (but they can be, so keep an eye on them!), and also their mouths are smaller so they have less of a chance of eating smaller fish like dithers.

 

[AutumnEffect]

Thanks guys. I had wondered about that dark dorsal spot on the large one, as the other two smaller ones don't have it. If they are all bluegill, will the dark spot come as they get larger?

The small mouth is a plus too. LOL

In your experience, is one sex more aggressive towards other fish (not sunfish) than the other?

 

[AutumnEffect]

Will a male build a nest without a female in the tank?

 

[hi222]

No, an adult male and an adult female have to mate to make a nest and if you only one fish it shouldn't happen

 

[hi222]

No, an adult male and adult female have to mate to make a nest and since you're just are keeping the one fish it shouldn't happen

 

[hi222]

My bad I sent two

 

[Boomer1224]

your lucky to keep natives