Pygmy Sunfish and Darters

[drewish]

If you are not worried about spawning them, Heterandria formosa, Lucania goodei, Fundulus lineolatus would make good tank mates as they are found in the same waters in the southern states. Lots of vegetation is a plus.

What darters are looking at? swamp darter, mud darter, and tessellated darter should do well with the named species.

 

[teleost]

I've always kept Elassoma in species only tanks. I often find them with swamp darters but have no idea how they interact in home aquaria. Personally I would not consider keeping Elassoma without a regular source of live feeds. I doubt getting bugs from the local pond will be enough and who knows what sort of critters will soon be flying in your home after a few feedings. I feed my Elassoma live blackworms and I can tell you they love them, live a long time on them and spawn regularly.

 

[jmitchell]

Yea, I have no problem getting a blackworm supply. As for the darters, I was considering a rainbow darter, which I have heard dont mind the warmer temps, but Im not sure. Ive just been doing this so long that I need something new for my dorm room, so I was lookin for fish that you dont see every day in the stores.

Thanks Guys!

-LJ

 

[drewish]

I'd only mix the two (pygmies and darters) if you have a large enough tank. Rainbow darters are more of a riffle darter so it would be a bad mix.

I'd suggest picking a habitat to emulate and going with species from that habitat.

I still don't see why you need a heater unless you are mixing with tropicals.

 

[ShadowBass]

I wouldn't keep pygmy sunfish unless you're planning on feeding live and have a reliable source. Don't count on them converting to frozen because it's almost impossible. I have luck converting most fish to frozen foods and mine wouldn't so much as notice dead stuff.

 

[drewish]

I've heard of people converting them and I've had mine take frozen bloodworms. If it moves (dropping down, or in slight current) they will sometimes eat it. I've been told they will eventually take it from the bottom of the tank.

 

[ShadowBass]

I've heard of people converting them and I've had mine take frozen bloodworms. If it moves (dropping down, or in slight current) they will sometimes eat it. I've been told they will eventually take it from the bottom of the tank.

Mine never took anything whether it was moving or not if it wasn't actually alive. If it wasn't alive it might as well have not even been there.

 

[teleost]

I've had mine take on the fall but either the fish weren't getting enough or too much food would accumulate on the bottom. I agree that good live foods are important.