Keeping Sunfish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
with blugills and pumkinseeds yes, some of the other centrarchids can get larger. Keep in mind that all centrarchids continue to grow throughout their lives, they just slow down considerably. Also, you will need to totally change your tank around, as adding centrarchids to a tank already containing some is begging for disaster.
 
I would think that would be a lot of agression, with that many sunfish. Sunfish will fight each other, same species or not. I have a 150 with only 3 spotted sunfish in it, and feel that I can't have any more due to aggression.
 
critter_bob;4541787;4541787 said:
I would think that would be a lot of agression, with that many sunfish. Sunfish will fight each other, same species or not. I have a 150 with only 3 spotted sunfish in it, and feel that I can't have any more due to aggression.
What kind of spotted Sunnies?
 
Most likely orangespotted, or possibly one or the dwarfs. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that a slightly heavier stocking density will help to diffuse agression amongst the fish, and minimises the likelyhood of any one fish being constantly picked on.
 
critter_bob;4546286;4546286 said:
Spotted sunfish (Lepomis punctatus).

http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Freshwaterfish_SpottedSunfish.htm

I would comment that I disagree with heavy stocking diffusing aggression amongst the fish. I think that heavy stocking just promotes more aggression, and you will end up with some fish that will have a more difficult time getting to food.
I agree, when I tried stocking other sunfish or dither fish with my Greens in a 39 g. they killed them ,and I even tried moving the decor before hand. We have Redspotted sunnies in the bootheel (lepomis miniatus) which I have heard are less aggressive than a Green and more aggressive than Orangespotted sunnies; does your Lepomis punctatus have the black spots or is it an intergrade?
 
critter_bob;4549571;4549571 said:
Black spots. I'm in FL, there isn't any of the red spotted to intergrade with here.
"Subspecies - Two were previously recognized, but now represent distinct species. The other closely related species is L. miniatus, which is found in Mississippi and in Gulf coast drainages. Intergrades may be found in northwest Florida." This is from the link you posted above.....the Florida FWC.
 
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