Green Sunfish Help!

A few days ago in my 80 gallon predator tank (pumkimseed,bluegill,crappie,sculpin, 3 small green sunfish) I noticed the smallest green sunfish approximatly 2 3/4 inches long started hiding. This completely unlike him. I know where he is (hiding in the live plants) but he never greats me now and only comes out to eat. Even worse the biggest green sunfish started shaking his head in a weird way. My yellow perch did this before he died of unknown causes a year ago. The third green sunfish is acting completely normal atleast. I have never seen these fish fight and all of the sunfish are often together so I do not think fighting is the source of the little guy hidding. The sculpin is to slow to cause any wory to the little guy, besides the sculpin is only 4 inches. All the fish look healthy to. If anyone knows what is wrong with my fish a comment would be most appreciated.
-Logan Little

Although this is a native fish forum, it may not be the best place for you to get answers on what you seem to think might be a disease. Tropical fish can suffer from the same ailments as native fish. Have you tried posting your symptoms (strange head shaking behavior) on one of the larger fish forums. I personally like Aquatic Predators. You might get some better feedback over there. Don't take this the wrong way, I am not trying to send you away, I was just thinking that one of those forums might be better equipped to help you with this particular problem. Good luck.

Logan,

I am seeing same problem with green sunfish in my quarantine tank in respect to behavior of smaller individuals. A single fight setup pecking order and subtle gestures hard for us but easy for fish to see. They are re-inforced with occasional biting attacks that can cause damage.

The funny head movements may be associated with irritated gills. Skipjack maybe correct, a different sub-forum would be better starting point. i.e. captive care / diseases.

Although this is a native fish forum, it may not be the best place for you to get answers on what you seem to think might be a disease. Tropical fish can suffer from the same ailments as native fish. Have you tried posting your symptoms (strange head shaking behavior) on one of the larger fish forums. I personally like Aquatic Predators. You might get some better feedback over there. Don't take this the wrong way, I am not trying to send you away, I was just thinking that one of those forums might be better equipped to help you with this particular problem. Good luck.

^I agree

The larger general fish forums are better for diagnosing those type of problems (and do keep in mind many can't be diagnosed without seeing fish in person anyway). Aquatic Predators is a good site.

Most people come here to discuss specifics of native fish species.

That said, hiding is pretty normal. Even if you don't notice them fighting, sunfish are territorial and dominance will switch from one fish to another. The less dominant fish will often hide before they get into an all out confrontation with another sunfish. You have quite a mix of sunfish, so there's probably quite a bit of confrontation for territory (even if it doesn't appear to be all out fighting to you).

Thanks for all the responses guys, however yesterday I cleaned my fish tank and all the head shaking has ceased since. The little green sunfish hiding was only a few day gig. When I woke up he was right where he should be the ready to be fed posistion. Can't thank you guys enough for the help.
-Logan Little