5 replies to this topic

[Toad Drool]

Hi,

 

I am new to the forum and new to keeping native N.American fish.  I have been curious about it for several years, and decided to take the plunge late 2017 with the purchase of 7 Lepomis megalotis megalotis.  At least, I think that is what they are.  Got them as little 1 inch long mouse grey fish.  Not what I was expecting.  Well, I dunked them into my 55 gallon tank with a 20-30 gallon sump and now they are 4-5 inches big and they have been colored up since February of this year.  They were showing signs of color in December and I decided to keep them chilly for the month of January.  Their tank is kept in a teaching lab at my work place and since there are no classes in January, I had to opportunity to crack open the windows a smidgen, and allow the room's temperature to drop to upper 40's.  I was able to do it very slowly and they really only spent about 2 weeks with very low temps.  They really colored up after I slowly brought the temps back up so I am glad I did it.  Below are some pictures that were taken of them yesterday.

 

Thanks for looking.  I think these guys rival the most beautiful Discus I have ever seen.

One question, what do the females look like? 

 

Thanks,

 

César

 

Lepomis megalotis megalotis by César, on Flickr

 

Lepomis megalotis megalotis by César, on Flickr

 

Lepomis megalotis megalotis by César, on Flickr

 

Lepomis megalotis megalotis by César, on Flickr

 

Lepomis megalotis megalotis by César, on Flickr

Edited by Toad Drool, 10 July 2019 - 02:40 PM.

[Chasmodes]

The are beautiful!  Nice fish you have there!  Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but, I'm sure someone on here will get the answer to you soon.

[mattknepley]

Welcome, Cesar!

 

Gorgeous fish!  I can appreciate Discus, but I think many of our sunfish are far prettier.  The forum is a gold mine of information, if you search it you can probably find many of questions answered.  Lots of Longear fans on here.  Another topic you'll want to delve into is how many megalotis per tank now that they're growing and coloring up.  That's discussed often on here.  I'm not a Lepomis pro, when I have 'em it's one per tank.  I'm sure some wiser folks than me will get to you here soon enough.  

 

But until then, again, beautiful fish (that cooling period certainly seems to have agreed with them) and welcome to one little corner of NANFA. Check us out, there is quite a bit more than just the forum.

 

Matt

 

Edit -  I should have read your other post first!  lol

[Fleendar the Magnificent]

Gorgeous fish! I have a Northern Longear. Still a juvenile but gradually coming into color.

[Toad Drool]

Gorgeous fish! I have a Northern Longear. Still a juvenile but gradually coming into color.

Nice, I would like to compare the differences when yours color up completely.

[Fleendar the Magnificent]

Sounds good. My Northern is about 3.5 inches long right now. Here's 2 photos, one with and one without flash. I think he'll get more vivid in coloration as he gets bigger.

 

Chris

Attached Files

•  1-NORTHERN-1.jpg   106.88KB   0 downloads
•  1-NORTHERN-2.jpg   87.47KB   0 downloads