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How long can I keep a green sunfish in a 10 gallon?


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#1 Guest_juhason_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 09:21 AM

So the aggression in my tank has gotten way out of hand, as expected I guess. My pumpkinseed has literally driven my green into a corner, where he stays ALL DAY. I have to force him out of the corner to get him to eat now, and he quickly darts back after he ate, if he doesn't get chased back. I have really become fond of my green and don't want to part with him. So I have a 10 gallon that I can move him into for the time being, but how long will he be able to stay in there? I don't know how soon I'll be able to get another tank for him so we could be looking at a few months before I can upgrade him.

#2 Guest_Aireal_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 09:31 AM

Well my boy was in one for 2 years. Not recommended of course as it stunted his growth and isn't healthy for him. But within a month of moving him to the 55 gallon he doubled in size so couldn’t be in a 10 if I wanted him to now. How big is he currently?

#3 Guest_Gavinswildlife_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 09:36 AM

How long has this been happening? It could be that your pumpkinseed is male and is being territorial...
Anyway, sunfish should not be kept in 10s for long, unless they are very very small.

#4 Guest_Subrosa_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 10:14 AM

Given a Sunfish's activity level, I would have no problem keeping a 4"-6" Sunfish by itself in a 10 for as long as necessary. I don't consider 50% weekly water changes a problem though.

#5 Michael Wolfe

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 01:06 PM

If I was just trying to keep the fish alive, I would go for a larger volume of water just to make it easier on me... maybe something like a 48 quart cooler or something?
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#6 Guest_juhason_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 01:42 PM

Well my boy was in one for 2 years. Not recommended of course as it stunted his growth and isn't healthy for him. But within a month of moving him to the 55 gallon he doubled in size so couldn’t be in a 10 if I wanted him to now. How big is he currently?

Wow it's crazy how big of a difference it makes. I mean, I knew stunting happens, but not to that extent. He is currently about 2"


How long has this been happening? It could be that your pumpkinseed is male and is being territorial...
Anyway, sunfish should not be kept in 10s for long, unless they are very very small.

For about 2-3 months now. At first they were inseparable, but now they hate each other. The pumpkinseed I'm sure is a male the green I'm 90% sure he's a male.


Given a Sunfish's activity level, I would have no problem keeping a 4"-6" Sunfish by itself in a 10 for as long as necessary. I don't consider 50% weekly water changes a problem though.

Ok thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to keep up on water changes.


If I was just trying to keep the fish alive, I would go for a larger volume of water just to make it easier on me... maybe something like a 48 quart cooler or something?

Yes I suppose I can... but I like looking at him! I like watching him swim around and shimmer in the light. I guess I'm just being selfish :sad2:

Edited by juhason, 27 March 2014 - 01:43 PM.


#7 Guest_Aireal_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 02:10 PM

Yup it def makes a huge difference. So I'd say at that size sure put him in a 10 gallon. But I would upgrade him asap as to not harm him on a developmental level to much which will ultimately cause his death. But in the same boat better than the pumpkinseed killing him now.

Wow it's crazy how big of a difference it makes. I mean, I knew stunting happens, but not to that extent. He is currently about 2"[size=4]



#8 Guest_Subrosa_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 02:21 PM

When discussing growth rates, the size of aquarium a fish is kept in matters about as much as the shoe size of the aquarium owner. Small tanks do not stunt fish, poor water quality does. No question that good water quality is easier to maintain in a larger tank, but a Sunfish kept in a 10 gal which gets large and frequent water changes will grow faster over the long term than if kept in a larger tank without adequate water changes.

#9 Guest_Aireal_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 02:36 PM

Well I can’t really say weather that is true or not only that my experience shows otherwise. My fish was with my sister two years only getting a little bigger and yes water quality would be horrid there. However I had him a couple of month before upgrading him to the 55 and I do regular water changes. He didn’t grow in the months I first had him. Then once in the 55 he when from about 2-3 inches to a large 6” within the month. If I were to put him back in the 10 gallon he would only be able to sit there not swim. So just from my experience I believe size of the tank does matter. But that’s my personal option not a scientific fact.

Edited by Aireal, 27 March 2014 - 02:37 PM.


#10 Guest_juhason_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 05:18 PM

Yup it def makes a huge difference. So I'd say at that size sure put him in a 10 gallon. But I would upgrade him asap as to not harm him on a developmental level to much which will ultimately cause his death. But in the same boat better than the pumpkinseed killing him now.

Update: I put him in the in the 10 gallon and within seconds he was the most active and curious little guy I've ever seen. He is actually quite energetic! My pumpkinseed was ruining his life!

#11 Guest_Aireal_*

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 10:00 PM

Update: I put him in the in the 10 gallon and within seconds he was the most active and curious little guy I've ever seen. He is actually quite energetic! My pumpkinseed was ruining his life!

awesome, I am happy for him! :)




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