Native Florida Fish for a 30 Gallon

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deathbystereo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 18, 2011
36
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Winter Park, FL
Hey all,

I know this may be a long shot, but I currently am a student with a 30 gallon tank in my dorm room currently keeping Honduran Red Point juvies, and will be moving them permanently to the bigger tank back home when I finish up the semester in a few weeks.

Anyway, I was thinking for next year, since I go to school that is on a nice lake (Lake Virginia in Winter Park, FL), I may set up a small native fish tank to try and keep some local guys. I know I am limited in my selection due to tank size, but do you all have any suggestions? I am in Winter Park, which is basically Orlando, FL, and am thinking maybe a small bluegill or two (I know they don't really get over about 7-8", even though 30 gallons is a bit restraining for a fish even that size) or maybe some smaller sunfish.

Basically, I don't know much about local freshwater lake fish in Central Florida and was wondering if any of you all could help me out with some suggestions on what to look for and research, as well as maybe a few tips on the best way to catch these guys!
 
stump crackers

guppies

possibly small bullhead catfish.
 
Shell crackers? Those are great looking fish but I feel like that species of sunfish gets a bit huge for a measly 30 gallon.

Guppies are always easy to fit in the tank, too.

Have you had any luck with dollar sunfish, blue-spotted sunfish, or banded sunfish? I know all of those stay under about 4", and are all beautiful fish.

Anyway, keep the suggestions going!
 
The last sunfishes you mention would be best for that setup. The dollars would be easier to care for but despite their small size can be quite aggressive. You would have better luck with the Enneacanthus species which may require cleaner water on your part and take some time getting used to dry foods. I've kept the blue spotted sunnies and they had no problem taking things like blood worms and brine shrimp until I converted them so don't be put off when I say they are more difficult because they are still fairly easy and great fish to keep. As for other fish take a look at this link from NatureServe (http://www.natureserve.org/getData/dataSets/watershedHucs/index.jsp) which allows you to get a list of fishes by watershed. Based on where you are located it looks like you have some great choices for the small native setup. In particular look into flagfish, pygmy sunfish, tadpole madtoms and some of the various livebearers and killifish.
 
Heya -

I'm out Clermont way, so if you need any help picking up some fish, lemme know and we can set up a collecting trip.

I would recommend that you stay away from the big aggressive sunfish species like bluegill, and try and focus on the small one like Bluespotted sunfish. I can find them pretty regularly, and they do well in aquaria. I would also suggest you look for sailfin mollys, flagfish, golden topminnows and some of the minnow species.

Bullhead are cool, but are glutinous pigs and will eat anything they can fit in thier mouths...I had a nice looking brown, and lost a fish a day.
 
Sandtiger, thanks for the website. I definitely agree that I am pretty limited with tank size, but really just want to stick with something under about 4-5." I think any good fishkeeper would agree that putting a bluegill or warmouth that gets well over 8" is a bit excessive.

Critterbob, I know this sounds a bit naive of me, but what is the best way to catch those little sunfish (and possibly madtoms for a couple of bottom feeders), since you seem a little more experienced? I pretty much only have gone saltwater fishing (grouper and mahi), so I have NO CLUE what to use and all.
 
The good thing is...you live in Florida, there are lots of smaller fish that would do great in your 30g. For smaller sunfish and madtoms a dipnet would be your best bet. Net around the shallow weedy edges of ponds and ditches and you're sure to turn up something. Minnow traps may also work, I typically use dog food as bait.
 
I have a minnow seine and a good dip net. Local conditions will favor one over the other.

I've gotten a few madtoms, but they are hard to get. They hide better then almost anybody else.
 
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