Sunfish Are Mean!

[juhason]

Well today, after researching countless threads and websites, as well as advice from cichlid keepers from the cichlid forum, I got an opaline gourami to put in my 40 gallon. Well I was worried that my convict especially, and possibly my jewel, would be after him and stress him out. The convict doesn't care for him, and only attacked him during feeding (but he attacks everything in his way during feeding) and my jewel chases him but not persistently. To my surprise, my baby pumpkinseed is chasing him around the whole tank! This tiny little fish who I rarely even saw before is now terrorizing a fish more than twice his size! And he hasn't even reached sexual maturity yet! I even saw him peck at my convict today, but my convict showed him who was boss. I'm kind of scared now about when he gets a little older, although he wasn't staying in there too long anyways. But for anyone out there thinking of keeping sunfish, I highly suggest you keep them with each other or with very VERY aggressive and tough fish. Just imagine what my pumpkinseed could be doing once he reaches his max size of 8-10 inches! 

 

[BerryAttack]

sunfish live in cold water, and IMO shouldn't be kept with your tropical fish, it'll give or get diseases/parasites and if released can damage the eco-system where you place it... if contact diseases.. and lake fish/pond etc shouldn't be mixed with tank fish because of this reason.
also sunfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of 6+
also convicts and jewel cichlids are considered some of the most aggressive cichlids, i've been told this, but not 100% sure.
if you have a cichlid tank then you need to have proper size and also group numbers to allow for proper distribution of aggression.

 

[juhason]

Thank you for your concern BerryAttack, but I got my sunfish from a breeder, so there are no issues with diseases/parasites. Also, I know they are cold water, as I have said in my topic, he is not permanently staying there. Sunfish are schooling fish when they are young, but once they mature, they are pretty seclusive. He is alone, but he is doing ok, and seems more rambunctious and active than all my other fish (minus the tiger barbs of course), so there are no concerns of water temp/parameters and tankmates at the moment. I can say from experience that yes, jewels and convicts are very aggressive, especially the convict. But my sunfish is just as aggressive. Once he grows out, he'll be more aggressive than both of them, but I don't plan on keeping him in that tank for too long. 

Also, about the cold water, most sunfish can tolerate warmer temperatures. It is healthier for them in the end to keep them in colder water, but they should be ok in warmer water as long as it doesn't exceed the 70's. There are a few excpetions: the northern and missouri longears for example. Pumpkinseed are also less warm water tolerant than say, bluegills, but are ok in lower to mid 70's. I researched them quite a bit before I got him. 

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Sunfishes are usually kept in a species tank or by themselves. I wouldn't risk mixing them with other non-american tropical fish

 

[juhason]

Yes, I understand that. I have already said a few times though, that it is not a permanent home for him. I wouldn't say 40 gallons is really enough for a pumpkinseed long-term anyways. I know I tend to say a lot so people miss things I say.

   I just have no where else to put him at the moment. And people have successfully mixed them with other fish. They just need to be with other very aggressive and LARGE fish. Yes, obviously a species tank is best for the sunfish and other fish in general, but as many people have done with all sorts of fish, mixing CAN be accomplished if done correctly. My pumpkinseed with the convict and jewel is NOT a good idea, and I know that, but by the time he's 4" (or less) he'll be out of there. Iv'e researched them quite a bit because I really love sunfish, They are my favorite fish. But thanks everyone for your concern on my little pumpkin. 

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Omg jewel cichlids are really mean, that i know for sure lol.. i'm kinda an expert at mixing almost everything before so i know where you're getting at. I've kept a black oscar with bettas, tetras and barbs for 4 years without any problems til the jewel arrived lol

 

[discusking742]

Sunfish are quite pushy fish. Not super aggressive but very pushy and nippy. I would usually opnly keep them with yheir own kind as they have their own requirements and are similar to paradise fish or flagfish in behavior. Well done for considering a tank move as these beautiful fish are worth keeping.

 

[juhason]

Omg jewel cichlids are really mean, that i know for sure lol.. i'm kinda an expert at mixing almost everything before so i know where you're getting at. I've kept a black oscar with bettas, tetras and barbs for 4 years without any problems til the jewel arrived lol

Yeah everyone says they are terrible, but I must either have a pretty docile one, or he's just not old enough yet, cause my convict is WAAAY worse. My jewel chases fish, but my convict terrorizes them. He terrorizes my jewel too haha. Oscars and bettas and neons....that is impressive.

  
 
 

Sunfish are quite pushy fish. Not super aggressive but very pushy and nippy. I would usually opnly keep them with yheir own kind as they have their own requirements and are similar to paradise fish or flagfish in behavior. Well done for considering a tank move as these beautiful fish are worth keeping.

Yes they are! I love sunfish. 

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

The 4-year peace is ruined by a 4-hour stay of my jewel haha!

Good job with the jewel though

 

[juhason]

Thank you! 

 

[Jeremy180]

On the subject of sunfish being aggro...
I can't find it now, but I remember reading a post somewhere a couple years back where somebody saw a display tank at their LFS where an adult redear was housed with mixed African Lake cichlids and a Jack Dempsey
(Don't ask me why)

Said sunfish had most of them hiding in a corner of the tank!

 

[juhason]

I can definitely see that! The males get so aggressive I've never seen anything like it.