Pumpkinseed Sunfish

[Noto]

Very young fish can be delicate. A 2-3" individual has a better chance of surviving and acclimating. The only time to avoid collecting fish is during the heat of summer; the fish may be stressed out from low oxygen levels and be more likely to die or get infected.

Pumpkinseeds can be kept with many other fish, including other mid-sized sunfish, perch, smaller catfish, as well as moderate to large minnows and darters. Sunfish are aggressive feeders, so you may need to take extra steps at feeding time to be sure less aggressive fish such as darters or pickerel get enough to eat.

 

[DemonShark]

Yea...pumpkin seeds can get fairy large... I caught one that was just about 12 inches. I was shocked. Thought I was pulling out a bass. Just to give you some reference, the bigger sunfish will go for crankbaits too. Here is another going for a spinnerbait.

Don't a want a small sunfish though?

 

[JIM]

Don't a want a small sunfish though?

I prefer to get small ones, i like to watch them grow, observe along the way so you can get an idea of their habits, which are gonna be somewhat different than in the wild, but still a good experience. and kills time. What good is havin a full grown fish right off. Then you can only say, YUP theres a full grown punkinseed now what ???

 

[DemonShark]

Very young fish can be delicate. A 2-3" individual has a better chance of surviving and acclimating. The only time to avoid collecting fish is during the heat of summer; the fish may be stressed out from low oxygen levels and be more likely to die or get infected.

Pumpkinseeds can be kept with many other fish, including other mid-sized sunfish, perch, smaller catfish, as well as moderate to large minnows and darters. Sunfish are aggressive feeders, so you may need to take extra steps at feeding time to be sure less aggressive fish such as darters or pickerel get enough to eat.

Thanks for the advice!

Then you can only say, YUP theres a full grown punkinseed now what ???

LOL....idk, get another full grown punkinseed, then you can say that there's TWO full grown punkinseeds!
Then 3, then 4 and so on!




Another question. What should I look for? Usually when I go to the petstore I know what to look for in terms of disease when viewing all the fish side by side in a clear glass aquarium. This could be trickier though.
Any disease I should look out for?
Should I bring home a few of them and pick my favourite/healthiest?

 

[Noto]

Once you bring home a fish, it's yours; keep it, share it, kill it, but don't return it to the wild. Just something to keep in mind. You can bring home a group and cull them, but only if you have some way to dispose of the unwanted fish.

When you are collecting, just look for a plump fish with no obvious signs of infection. Sometimes the stress of capture will make a fish succumb to parasites or disease; try to minimize stress (using an aerator and baitsaver or salt in the collection bucket can help, as well as keeping your tank water pristine for the first several weeks) and hope for the best.

 

[JIM]

Another question. What should I look for? Usually when I go to the petstore I know what to look for in terms of disease when viewing all the fish side by side in a clear glass aquarium. This could be trickier though.
Any disease I should look out for?
Should I bring home a few of them and pick my favourite/healthiest?[/quote]

just look for good healthy lookin best color etc. we dont find many natives in pet stores in Indiana

 

[xspainx69]

I always wanted a Pumpkinseed Sunfish and when I looked for one I just couldnt find anyone that would sell it or ship it.

 

[JIM]

pumpkinseeds should be native to your area, get a pole hook and worm, go to your favorite fishin hole, catch pumpkinseed, there you go ...Please observe all local rule and regulations.

 

[DemonShark]

Is it really a good idea to be hooking these guys though? If they are stressed enough that could easily become a fungal infection, couldn't it?

Either way I was planning on using a net, they come right up to you.

 

[xspainx69]

pumpkinseeds should be native to your area, get a pole hook and worm, go to your favorite fishin hole, catch pumpkinseed, there you go ...Please observe all local rule and regulations.

Yeah I know But I have the mere the luck of only catching Bluegills and Chain Pickerel.