Bluegills are typical freshwater sunfish that are long-bodied fish. They can grow over 12 inches, weigh about 2 – 2.5 kilograms, and be kept in home aquariums These fish usually require around 50 to 70 gallons of water with a 6.8 to 7.2 pH level and can be kept with other tank mates, too.
What fish can live with sunfish?
Fish like Bullheads, other varieties of Sunfish, Bass , etc., will make for good tank companions for your Bluegills. However, make sure that your tank size is large enough (at least 100 gallons) to imitate the natural setting and has ample hiding spots, like aquarium vegetation.
How big do freshwater sunfish get?
The average length is 4 inches, ranging usually from 2 to 8 inches and reaching a maximum of 12 inches , which is very rare. Most green sunfish weigh less than half a pound. The all-tackle world record is a 2-pound 2-ounce fish taken in Missouri in 1971.
Are sunfish aggressive?
Superficially, they resemble a bluegill. However, if a sizable population of green sunfish becomes established in your pond, you can usually expect small fish size and very aggressive fish that bite swimmers.
Can you put sunfish in aquarium?
A pair of longear sunfishes, Bluegills or other large species will require a 55-75 gallon aquarium , but others will get along well in smaller quarters. Included among these are the brilliantly-clad Banded, Blue-Spotted and Black-Banded Sunfishes (Enneacanthus spp.).
Can I own a sunfish?
Although more often stocked as pond animals, fish of the family Centrarchidae (known as sunfish) can make very rewarding pets in the home aquarium In many ways they are the North American equivalent to the cichlids, especially the Central American cichlids.
Can I keeping green sunfish in aquarium?
Green sunfish can also be found in the deeper, calmer parts of streams and creeks, or schooling in open water when food is available and it is safe to do so. In the aquarium, they should have ample plant cover, as well as open areas for free swimming.
How many gallons does a green sunfish need?
A good minimum Lepomis sunfish tank is a standard 55 or 75 gallon tank. The smallest two species can be kept in smaller tanks but I would recommend a minimum of a standard 29 gallon tank for a group of them.
How long do freshwater sunfish live?
They have a lifespan of about three years, but if conditions are favorable, they can live up to eight years They tend to grow between 4-12 inches long and rarely exceed 1 pound in weight. The pumpkinseed sunfish has been thought of for many years to be one species, known as Lepomis gibbosus.
Can sunfish live with koi?
Koi are peaceful and do not bother or prey on other fish in your pond which makes it great for stocking your pond with a variety of other fish. Sunfish get along well next to carp with Redear sunfish being the most popular for a carp pond.
What do freshwater sunfish eat?
All sunfish are carnivorous. Small species and young individuals of larger species eat small invertebrates (such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks) and small fish Larger individuals feed more frequently on fish and crayfish.
What do sunfish eat?
Their food of choice is jellyfish, though they will eat small fish and huge amounts of zooplankton and algae as well They are harmless to people, but can be very curious and will often approach divers.
Will green sunfish eat fish food?
Green sunfish are Omnivores which means they consume both plant and animal matter. They eat insects, larvae, zooplankton, eggs, snails, crawfish, eggs, fry, and other small forage fish. In Aquariums or residential ponds, they are also known to eat commercial fish food, bread, and corn.
How can you tell a bluegill from a sunfish?
The cover peaks into a broad, round flap that is black in color; however, it is not surrounded by a lighter colored trim as it is in some other sunfishes. You can easily identify a Bluegill because they have a small mouth and head that are typical of sunfish species and the pectoral fins are pointed.
Can I keep bluegill with goldfish?
Many aquarists report success with adding 2-3 additional inches (5-7.5 cm) goldfish in the second year of the mix. Two bluegills should be compatible with one adult goldfish If you want to keep more bluegill or goldfish, add them in pairs.
Can you put wild fish in a fish tank?
You can keep wild-caught fish in your fish tank in certain situations , and many people do. It is an easy way to create a distinctive and low-cost aquarium setup featuring the same fish you’d find in your local lakes and streams.
Can you put crappie in a fish tank?
Crappie are commonly kept in outdoor ponds, however, it is possible for them to thrive in aquariums too Get a large fish tank and set it up with a substrate, driftwood, artificial plants, and a filter. When caring for crappie, provide food every 12 hours, keep the water clear, and test the water quality regularly.
How big does the dollar sunfish get?
Maximum size 5 inches typical size 4 or less. They display sexual dimorphism in the typical Sunfish manner. The males being more colorful and aggressive than the females. They are predacious feeding on insects and small fish.
What is the prettiest sunfish?
The longear sunfish is the most beautiful fish native to Texas waters! Some longears are stunning for subtle variations of colors. However, breeding males are bold with red eyes, a green-back, blue/turquoise facial lines, and a yellow or orange belly.
What is the largest freshwater sunfish?
5-pound 12.8-ounce World Record Sunfish.
How long do green sunfish live?
life history – Spring and summer; eggs hatch in 2 days; nest made in shallow water by male and consists of many small depressions on fine gravel or sand near cover; guarded by male for 5 – 7 days, become reproductive in 3 years. Life Span – Life span of the green sunfish is about 4 – 6 years.
How fast do green sunfish grow?
They will grow to 3-5 cm in their first year and 8-13 cm SL by their third year Green Sunfish can live to be 10 years old and as long as 30 cm but this only occurs under optimal, less competitive conditions; many 4-5 year old fish only measure 8-10 cm.
Can you keep sunfish with cichlids?
The water needs to be WAy to warm for Discus and both of those cichlids are fragile (IMO). Dwarf cichlids would bully any of the smaller sunfish, but if you mixed a bluegill with an apisto, the apisto is lunch. African cichlids is just a dumb idea to keep sunfish with IMO.
Can you raise sunfish in aquaponics?
They reside in the lakes, streams, and rivers of North America. Bluegill are generally considered among the easiest fish to raise in an aquaponics system , mostly because of their hardiness.
How fast do bluegill grow in a tank?
Bluegill grow relatively fast. In just one year , they can reach a weight of one pound and a length of up to 12 inches. It takes two years for them to reach breeding size if they are properly looked after and fed.
What do bluegill eat in an aquarium?
In captive environments such as aquariums, Bluegill can eat both traditional food sources and commercially available fish foods If you want to feed your Bluegills minnows, grass shrimp, crickets, they will certainly eat it! Some Bluegill owners even feed mealworms or grubs which are available in pet shops.
Can you keep perch in a fish tank?
Adding and Caring for Perch Move the fish over with the nylon net. If the perch comes in a bag (as opposed to a bucket or cooler), float the bag in the aquarium water for 20-25 minutes, and then let it swim free Feed the perch a diet of meaty foods like earthworms, tubifex worms, beef heart or feeder goldfish.
How long do sunfish take to grow?
Sunfish require at least 2 years to reach this size. Recommended stocking rates for hybrid sunfish grow out is 5,000 to 7,000 juvenile fish per acre (12,355 to 17,279 fish/ha) in year 2.
Citations
https://thenativetank.tumblr.com/post/107657831366/sunfish-of-the-genus-lepomis-in-the-home-aquarium
http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatfishblog/2012/12/13/sunfish-care-keeping-pumpkinseeds-bluegills-and-their-relatives/#:~:text=A%20pair%20of%20Longear%20Sunfishes,Sunfishes%20(Enneacanthus%20spp.).