Anybody know where to get Pygmy Sunfish UK?

[StripySnailGirl04]

Does anybody know where to get Pygmy Sunfish in the UK? If you breed them, I'll remember for the future.
Thanks.

 

[ember04]

I dont breed them but i know some places to get rarier fish if you would like

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I dont breed them but i know some places to get rarier fish if you would like

Yes please! I'm looking for rare hard water fish to stock my 10 gallon!

 

[Deleted member 149562]

This information is old but potentially pertinent to what you are asking.

There is an email address/phone number that you can use to confirm if the fish you are after is legally available in the UK

New legislation affects which fish you may keep in England

www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk

Elassoma are mentioned in the article

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

This information is old but potentially pertinent to what you are asking.

There is an email address/phone number that you can use to confirm if the fish you are after is legally available in the UK

Fish Health Inspectorate at CEFAS on [email protected], or telephone 01305 206700.

New legislation affects which fish you may keep in England

www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk

Elassoma are mentioned in the article

Thank you, I will read it.

 

[ClownLurch]

Yes please! I'm looking for rare hard water fish to stock my 10 gallon!

Heterandria Formosa. m18mm/f30mm.
Not the most attractive fish but the attractive fish of their size will have been eaten up by other fish and birds thousands of years ago. They’ve a strange way of swimming, go forward 4” or so then stop and look around, then go forward another short distance and stop to look around etc etc. I suppose it’s what’s kept them in existence.
Community fish so just add a m&f and pretty soon you’ll have a few little uns.

 

[ember04]

Heterandria Formosa. m18mm/f30mm.
Not the most attractive fish but the attractive fish of their size will have been eaten up by other fish and birds thousands of years ago. They’ve a strange way of swimming, go forward 4” or so then stop and look around, then go forward another short distance and stop to look around etc etc. I suppose it’s what’s kept them in existence.
Community fish so just add a m&f and pretty soon you’ll have a few little uns.

These if im not mistake are Least killifish which I found to be really rare in the uk

 

[ember04]

Another opption for hard water is a Betta Mahachai there a more hardwater tolerate wild betta species which im getting for my 7 Gallon

 

[ClownLurch]

These if im not mistake are Least killifish which I found to be really rare in the uk

There’s always some for sale on eBay but they’re a bit expensive. When I get round to moving mine on I’ll probably try my luck on there.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

There’s always some for sale on eBay but they’re a bit expensive. When I get round to moving mine on I’ll probably try my luck on there.

I don't like shipping fish.
But I'll keep that option in consideration.

 

[ClownLurch]

I don't like shipping fish.
But I'll keep that option in consideration.

I don’t know where you are in the U.K. but I know people or shops in Cornwall, east London, Lincolnshire, Ipswich, gateshead and Glasgow who nearly always have them for sale. Plus someone on here in Herts or Beds when I first joined had them but I can’t remember who?

 

[ember04]

I don't like shipping fish.
But I'll keep that option in consideration.

you may have a hard time finding a shop that could sell you these fish if you dont want to ship i doubt many shops would ever carrier them and i dont know of any breeders

 

[AJStyles]

I don’t know where you are in the U.K. but I know people or shops in Cornwall, east London, Lincolnshire, Ipswich, gateshead and Glasgow who nearly always have them for sale. Plus someone on here in Herts or Beds when I first joined had them but I can’t remember who?

What were the places in lincolnshire that you knew of? Im after some pygmy sunfish myself at the minute.

 

[Essjay]

It has been mentioned in this thread that it may be illegal to keep pygmy sunfish in the UK. I have found an article from 2022 which lists fish which it is legal to keep in aquariums. The list includes 3 Elassoma species - E. evergladei, E. gilberti and E. okefenokee. Just those three species are legal.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/845209/ILFA._Aquarium_Ornamentals._Alphabetic_checklist_for_BIPs..xlsx

Interestingly, and off topic, it is legal to keep almost all Gambusia species, but there are two illegal species - G. affinis and G. holbrooki.

 

[AJStyles]

It has been mentioned in this thread that it may be illegal to keep pygmy sunfish in the UK. I have found an article from 2022 which lists fish which it is legal to keep in aquariums. The list includes 3 Elassoma species - E. evergladei, E. gilberti and E. okefenokee. Just those three species are legal.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/845209/ILFA._Aquarium_Ornamentals._Alphabetic_checklist_for_BIPs..xlsx

Interestingly, and off topic, it is legal to keep almost all Gambusia species, but there are two illegal species - G. affinis and G. holbrooki.

Yeah im after the evergladei, They seem to be the main ones sold over here when they have them in so im guessing there still legal as cant find any info stating different so far.