Teacher needs help with pumpkinseed sunfish!

[namrufmot]

In my classroom I have three small sunfish in a 55 gallon tank - wild caught.

They are eating fine - mealworms and small feeders. The tank has a sand bottom with a decent amount of live plants (both planted and floating on top) for them to munch on if they choose.

My concern is the lighting. They seem to HATE any kind of light. If I turn on only one of the lights they hide in the "dark" end. If I turn both lights off they swim all over the tank. I've even tried to put some paper between the light and the tank to dim it but ANY kind of light sends them running. Right now I have 5500k lights for the plants.

What should I do? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Just leave it on, they will adapt....

 

[kdrun76]

Floating plants such as duck weed, water sprite or water lettuce would cover the surface, providing the sunfish with both shade and plants to chew on.

You could also try more large items in the tank that can provide a refuge. Drift wood, terracotta flower pots, or rock piles that have ledges.

 

[knifegill]

If you give each fish its own cave to hide in, they will feel more comfortable and you will see more natural behavior. These are very hidey fish that will be skittish and nervous until they have homes they can call their own. Then when the light goes on, they will hide for a moment and then peek back out.

 

[syddakyd]

leave the lights on all day and turn them off at night they will get used to it.