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40 gal sunfish tank

Started by fish ALLday , Oct 19 2017 01:31 PM

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8 replies to this topic

#1 fish ALLday

NANFA Guest

Pennsylvania (PA)

Posted 19 October 2017 - 01:31 PM

I'm looking to start a planted 40 gal (could be talked into a 55) tank with longear sunfish. Was wondering opinions on how many I can keep in the tank or maybe suggestions on different sunfish other than longear.

Also suggestions on plants for tank and possibly other species that could keep along side sunfish. I'm from NE (PA) and really want to keep native plants in tank, but have no idea where to start.

Thanks

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#2 MtFallsTodd

NANFA Member

Mountain Falls, Virginia

Posted 19 October 2017 - 02:55 PM

Blue spotted are great for a tank that size. Small size and not overly aggressive.

Deep in the hills of Great North Mountain

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#3 JasonL

NANFA Member

Kentucky

Posted 19 October 2017 - 03:22 PM

For Longear you'd need to keep a single fish in a tank that size imo. They are fairly aggressive and territorial towards their own species and that's not enough space for the half dozen or so you'd need to diffuse the aggression. Need at least a 75 for this, even bigger would be better.

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#4 centrarchid

NANFA Guest

Posted 20 October 2017 - 12:33 PM

A single or several fish. Going the several route, assuming you do not have a backup tank, then go monosex. Keeping several up to about 4" in such a tank doable. If you can push the filtration, then a dozen or more better yet. Keep them out of breeding mode.

Find ways for people not already interested in natives to value them.

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#5 AvicLitee

NANFA Guest

Posted 21 October 2017 - 06:33 AM

How do you sex sunfish?

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#6 centrarchid

NANFA Guest

Posted 21 October 2017 - 06:44 AM

Controlling for everything except sex, males are more brightly colored once sexual maturity realized. Assuming Longear Sunfish are your target, males tend to have longer ears as well. You can also squeeze them for gametes.

Show a picture of fish you are considering. Make so we can see each fish clearly.

Find ways for people not already interested in natives to value them.

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#7 fish ALLday

NANFA Guest

Pennsylvania (PA)

Posted 22 October 2017 - 05:09 PM

If I'd go the pumpkinseed route could I keep to males in a single 40 gal tank or would I need a male and female?

Also for a planted tank do I need a CO2?

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#8 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 22 October 2017 - 07:43 PM

See Centrarchids response from Oct 20 for qty.

No you dont need CO2 for plants

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

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#9 Pumpkinsteve

NANFA Guest

Philly

Posted 22 February 2018 - 05:35 PM

I'm looking to start a planted 40 gal (could be talked into a 55) tank with longear sunfish. Was wondering opinions on how many I can keep in the tank or maybe suggestions on different sunfish other than longear.

Also suggestions on plants for tank and possibly other species that could keep along side sunfish. I'm from NE (PA) and really want to keep native plants in tank, but have no idea where to start.

Thanks

Where in PA can you catch Longear? I've never seen one.

All Lepomis sunfish are territorial and will be aggressive in an aquarium. Unless you want a Highlander tank, I agree with Todd that Bluespotted are preferable in a 40 or 55.