Sunfish stocking rules of thumb?

[davdev]

I know people post stocking questions all the time, and I am not looking for actual stocking suggestions. What I am looking for is some rules of thumb to go by.

Here are some basic questions I have:
1) Are there some Sunfish that mix with other species better than others?
2) Would it make more sense to try to keep a small school of a single sunfish species, or is it better to keep 1 or 2 of a couple different breeds?
3) Are there any rules for how many to keep based on tank size. For instance, I saw a recommendation over at NANFA for 1 fish for every 10 gallons, but this kind of stinks of the bogus one inch per gallon rule. For instance, I don't think keeping 12 Sunfish in a 120 gallon tank would work out, would it?
4) Are there other fish types that mix better with sunfish than others, for instance, if I wanted to add a grass pickerel or stonecat, would one be better than other, or would another species all together be better.

Now for some specifics, I plan on getting a 5foot 120 gallon tank (60x18x24). I was thinking of doing 6-8 Nothern Longears, a Grass Pickerel, and then some sort of bottom feeder (stone cat or brown bullhead). I was also thinking about adding a single Green or Pumpkinseed and/or a Yellow Perch. Any opinions?

 

[gar man]

I think that what you have listed would work great in the 120, get the bullhead they are more fun to watch IME. Go with a yellow perch with the longears, thats what I would do at least.

 

[davdev]

I think that what you have listed would work great in the 120, get the bullhead they are more fun to watch IME. Go with a yellow perch with the longears, thats what I would do at least.

I am just a little leery about the bullheads potential size. Though from what I read they shoot up to 6-8" and then grow very slowly after that. I am not a fan of huge fish, and prefer to keep everything under 10" or so.

 

[gar man]

Bullheads grow slowly (or at least my bwon does) ive had him for 2 almost 3 years and hes grown about 3"

 

[id10t]

I'd avoid the green - they are very aggressive.

 

[davdev]

Can longears live with Orange or Blue spotted's? If so, what about the Bullhead, would they be small enough to eat?

 

[warmouth]

I would get a Stonecat instead of a Bullhead, and I would not put a pickeral in with Central Longears (I dont know about the Northern subspecies). Ive seen Bullhead grow incredibly fast in a pond, and Longears dont get that big....I agree with what youve been told about Greens, they are very aggressive and will kill other fish. You could put checkered madtoms (or any other big madtom) also in with longears and Ive heard big minnows like Common shiners or Golden Shiners (when I tried it my greens killed them, but he also killed a Redfin Pickeral....but thats why I dont think you should get Greens). I personnally would stick with one species of Sunfish per tank for breeding purposes....but thats my personal preference. I Hope that helps.

 

[davdev]

I personnally would stick with one species of Sunfish per tank for breeding purposes....but thats my personal preference. I Hope that helps.

I will probably do that. As for breeding, while I do want to observe the behavior, I don't particularly want 300 little sunfish to rehome. I assume either the bullhead or the stonecat would take care of that problem though, correct?

Can someone answer my 1st question, is there a rule of thumb for how many can be kept in the tank?

Also, is there a good species to use to breed feeders? I was thinking of setting up a guppy or convict tank and using the fry as feeders, but I would probably prefer a native species. I would keep a small group of adults in a 50 gallon stock tank and then harvest the fry. Is there any species that would be considered easy and prolific breeders? I am going to get a few Marble crayfish to breed feeders as well and probably a large nightcrawler setup.

 

[JIM]

Can longears live with Orange or Blue spotted's? If so, what about the Bullhead, would they be small enough to eat?

Its been my experience that most sunfish species are more aggressive toward others of their own species. The longears are gonna get sizeable, the Orange spotted stay small, but surprisingly territorial toward their own kind, and i have a couple of dollar sunfish that will attack anything, no matter how big, and they are only about 3 inches long.

I guess the b est rule of thumb is if its a Native it might be aggressive, except for the blue spots which are both small, and timid. Or that has been my experience.

 

[warmouth]

Rosy reds or mosquitofish make great native sunfish food; .....for longears , I would definately go about 3-5 in a 55 gallon (with only one male).