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Fish suggestions for 40B w/ 1 sunfish?


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#1 1apollofish1

1apollofish1
  • NANFA Guest
  • Massachusetts

Posted 30 March 2020 - 05:26 PM

Currently, I have a 40 Breeder aquarium that houses a single Redbreast Sunfish. The sunfish in particular is extremely aggressive and relentlessly bullied 3 fallfish within the first hour of introduction before I returned the fallfish to their habitat. Adding another sunfish of any type is out of the question. To explain, I feel that the 40 gallon breeder is not large enough to divert the sunfishes' territorial aggression unless I stock it with 5 sunfish. I also am afraid that adding a bluegill of a similar or larger size like previously would harm the redbreast sunfish.

 

However, having a nice-sized aquarium that houses only one fish make the tank feel very empty, especially since I want to add more life to the aquarium.

 

Are there any suggestions for fish? Any effective dithers for the tank size? 



#2 littlen

littlen
  • NANFA Member
  • Washington, D.C.

Posted 31 March 2020 - 06:57 AM

Hey apollo--

 

My 2.5cents are that 1, you shouldn't release fish back to the wild, no matter how long you've had them in captivity.  Their momentary exposure to your already captive Redbreast could have introduced them to a pathogen they'll now take back to the stream.  I won't harp on it as I'm sure you had good intentions but it is a safe measure we follow in fishkeeping.

 

2, I think your 40B is owned by the Redbreast.  What I mean is that s/he has established the entire tank as his/her territory.  Let's say HE for the sake of the argument, is coming into breeding season.  He will not tolerate any other fish coming into his potential nesting site.  That is usually where folks run into issues with sunnies.  Redbreasts get very large and it is unlikely you'd be able to have any others in there with him.  *IF you are inclined to try more, I would recommend taking him out and rearranging the tank before reintroducing ALL of the fish at the same time.  Breaking up the 'line of sight' (by having a lot of driftwood/large rocks) would help lower the aggression.  (Think; they can't be mad at what they can't see).  I would not recommend more than 4-6 depending on their size.  But then again, you have to remember how big they are going to get in the long run and potential breeding issues down the road.

 

3, so let's try to fix your current situation.  Dithers.  Small, agile, quick shiners is the way you want to go.  You can look up what species you have available in your area and try to collect some.  You could probably work with a good dozen for starters and see how they do. 

 

Keep in mind that whatever option you try, you absolutely should not release them back to the wild.  So be prepared to move fish that are getting picked on to another tank.  Or give them to someone else.  I hope something works out for you and your lone Redbreast.  Stay safe!


Nick L.

#3 Dustin

Dustin
  • Forum Staff

Posted 31 March 2020 - 09:27 AM

Nick is the best person to answer these questions and I agree with everything he said.  My suggestion for dithers is whatever Cyprinella species you have locally.  They swim high in the water column, are very fast, and more robust than most other shiners.  


Dustin Smith
At the convergence of the Broad, Saluda and Congaree
Lexington, SC


#4 1apollofish1

1apollofish1
  • NANFA Guest
  • Massachusetts

Posted 31 March 2020 - 10:55 AM

Thank you, Nick.

 

Looking at your suggestions and thoughts on the situation, I might hold off on introducing any tankmates other than dithers and crayfish, as the aggression has persisted despite tank rearrangement and group introduction in the past. Would obtaining a 75 gallon aquarium be able to help combat the sunfish's territorial aggression?



#5 keepnatives

keepnatives
  • Regional Rep

Posted 31 March 2020 - 02:32 PM

Thank you, Nick.

 

Looking at your suggestions and thoughts on the situation, I might hold off on introducing any tankmates other than dithers and crayfish, as the aggression has persisted despite tank rearrangement and group introduction in the past. Would obtaining a 75 gallon aquarium be able to help combat the sunfish's territorial aggression?

I had my 150 gallon as a sunfish tank the largest was a redbreast male about 7 or 8 inches, but I had several othe species as well including in rank of size: bluegill, longears, green, dollars, mud, flier, blue spots overall about 18 to 20 specimens. Tried some larger cyprinellas, stonerollers, and large 8 - 10 inch creek chubs but they were constantly battered.  The sunfish that ruled were the dollars followed by the redbreast but the only sunfish that couldn't handle it were the bluespots and the flier.  These others were quite agressive except the muds which were quite laid back, no one bothering them and vice-versa.  They would become aggressive when fed making sure to get their share plus, then back to casual, I'm good attitude.  I had to withstand multiple attacks myself when cleaning the inside of the tank it was like a school of pirana.  And I fed them well and frequently.  So all that to say, don't think in a 40 gallon theres a lot you can do  not sure a 75 will improve much.  Maybe with lots of branching driftwood and rocks to create protective channels the cyprinellas and larger chubs might have a chance, and I mean a lot of driftwood pretty much fencing the redbreast in.  Also a small bullhead/catfish species with a hideaway spot. Good luck.


Mike Lucas
Mohawk-Hudson Watershed
Schenectady NY

#6 Michael Wolfe

Michael Wolfe
  • Board of Directors
  • North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 31 March 2020 - 03:24 PM

Nick is breaking the news to you in the best way possible... Sandwich would just tell you that he likes his 58 gallon show tank all to himself, and you have to appreciate a single fish for what they are...

 

Just Hangin' with Sandwich

https://vimeo.com/127223506

 

 


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

#7 1apollofish1

1apollofish1
  • NANFA Guest
  • Massachusetts

Posted 31 March 2020 - 03:34 PM

Currently, I have no plans on another sunfish. However, in my last post, I was thinking about potential minor representations in the aquarium such as crayfish and Margined Madtoms, as I had a positive experience with them a few years in the past when a different, more cooperative sunfish occupied the tank. 





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