How big do they grow? I'm getting one about 1". How fast would it take him to start showing his red belly and adult colors? I'm planning to house one by itself in a 15 g, is that big enough?
Red breasted sunfish
- Thread starter fish042099
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They can get up to 12 inches, but mostly stay smaller about 6-8 inces. I don't know how long it will take them to mature, but a 15g isn't big enough, I would suggest at least a 55g. A 30g might be fine if he stays on the smaller side (6inches), but there is no way to know how big your specific fish will top out at, therefore it would be better to go bigger than smaller.
Ive had very varied results when it comes to growth rate. In my 37, i had a 2" shoot up to that 6" mark in only 4 months. While this year in my 55 with a lighter bio-load, a 2" still hasnt grown past 3". They are easy to train on pellets. The biggest thing about them when it comes to tank size, is the less space they have the more aggressive they tend to be. They are active fish and 15 G isnt alot of room for a 6" fish, but it will get you by while they are small
Well you heard wrong. The only reason they don't grow bigger is they die.
A 40g minimum is needed for any of the larger sunfish, which a red breast is. And 15g is enough for a couple guppies and a betta, not a big bodied fish.
I have had mine for about 3 yrs. Its been about 9 inch for the past year or so. Mine took close to 9 months before the red started showing but didnt get super red until about 1 1/2 years old. I started mine in a 55 and he did out grow it. He is now in my indoor pond (around 250 gallons). a 75 long would be best for him for he does like to swim around. a 15 gallon tank is way way to small.
Why did you even ask if you had already made up your mind about what you were going to do?