New tank build and Black Banded Sunfish - interesting fish

I recently rebuilt my 55 gallon tank for smaller fish about a month ago. The tank stabilized very quickly and so far all is well and healthy. In my first build I added LED lighting which I kept on for at least 12 hours a day and sometimes longer. Algae became a problem so in this build I only keep them on for 8 hours. This seems much better and algae is not presenting itself as a problem.



I have two Black banded sunfish (Enneacanthus chaetodon) in my 55 gallon tank along with 4 dollar and 6 bluespotted sunfish among a few others. They are all mostly the same size and get along with the other fish but the Black Banded sunfish are definitely different from all other sunfish I have raised. They are very inquisitive and examine everything in a slow methodical way. At feeding time they check out every different type of food I am trying out in the tank. They swim among the other fish but they do so, it seems, only in passing. They seem to prefer to be by themselves. Their very nature in swimming, checking things out and living in the tank is very much like another fish i have raised. If I were liken them to a known fish I would say they are almost like Angle fish.

Here is a picture of the smaller one I have.


They also, definitely seem to be a more difficult fish to feed. While they examine all the food they seem to just pick at it. I have chopped small worm bits but they just pick at it too. I am not exactly sure what would they would really like.

If anyone has experience with Black Banded sunfish let me know. Meanwhile, I am reading older posts.

Usil

Edited by Usil, 22 April 2012 - 11:17 AM.

I have some Blackbandeds that I keep with Bluespots and Bandeds and all of them feed very enthusiastically on frozen bloodworm cubes, tearing it apart as it floats on the surface. They haven't been shy feeders in my experience, but I agree with you about the way they inspect their environment and swim around. They have a surprising gravitas for such a small fish.

my blackbandeds also eat bloodworms. at first they didnt, but i have bluespot that was taught by a blue gill, which in turn taught the blackbandeds how to eat bloodworms. i love the monkey see monkey do method.

I have only had the Sunfish for about 4 days and you are right the feeding frenzy that the black tail shiners and Mountain Red Sided Dace create stimulates every fish in the tank. I am trying 5 or 6 different foods a day (in small quantities) one right after another to see what eats what. I do this just after the auto light comes on in the morning to set a timetable for feeding. After 4 days they are already ready for the food at this time in the morning.

Usil

I love the tank. Very well done. My blackbandeds devour frozen bloodworms. They'll also eat live blackworms, freeze dried blackworms, freeze dried bloodworms, and they've begun to eat earthworm flakes. They don't seem to be interested in frozen brine shrimp, though. I agree with you though about their personalities. Very inquisitive fish. When I walk up to the tank, they go right to the front to look right back at me. They don't get scared when my hand goes in the tank, in fact, they sometimes come up and try to bite my fingers off. One of the coolest fish I've kept.

I bet you know this, but your dollar sunfish will tare your others to shreds when they mature. I would keep an eye on them. I have a dollar that I saved from the feeder tank at the pet store. He is smaller than my bluespots right now and already showing excellent color! I think he will be outstanding as an adult. I plan on taking him out soon.
A dollar sunfish in my lepomis tank has killed a 6inch pumpkinseed, and terrorizes my red breast sunfish that are at least an inch longer.

Elija - Thanks for the warning. Actually, I was not sure if the dollar, bluespot and the black banded would get along as I have had other issues with sunfish in general being aggressive and highly territorial when few in number. However, this tank setup has many fish and I am wondering if the tank dynamics might be a little bit moderated. As they are all juveniles right now I will be watching for aggression. Thanks again.

Usil

I'll watch this topic with interest; this genus are legal in the UK and I'd like to keep some. I was under the general impression that this species is much more timid than Lepomis and wouldn't have eventually mixed well when all adult.

Nice tank Usil and love the pic of the fish in question.

I thought I saw some fish company describing this fish in the UK. I saw this: Legal position: One of the few North American fishes that can be kept legally in the UK without a licence. So, you might find them in the UK if you give it a look.

Usil

I thought I saw some fish company describing this fish in the UK. I saw this: Legal position: One of the few North American fishes that can be kept legally in the UK without a licence. So, you might find them in the UK if you give it a look.

Usil

Thanks Usil. Yes, all Enneacanthus are legal here, chaetodon most commonly seen but still hard to find even so. I have applied for licences for other species, Phoxinus erythrogaster for instance, but I'm always refused. Good luck with your tank, hope it works.

Where did you get the black banded sunfish?

I bought the black banded sunfish from: http://www.jonahsaquarium.com/

Usil