Breeding sunfish

What is the best setup for breeding sunfish? Mininum tank size, substrate etc.

What is the best setup for breeding sunfish? Mininum tank size, substrate etc.

Tank size depends on species. Gravel is the best spawning substrate. Feed the breeders twice a day once in the morning and once in the afternoon/evening. Try feeding high grade pellets if they're trained to dry food and if not feed them earthworms, frozen bloodworms, etc. If you feed them store bought feeder minnows (rosy reds, not goldfish, as goldfish often carry many parasites), be sure to "gut load" them. Feed the minnows high grade flake food a couple of hours before feeding. It's even better to feed them for a couple days prior to feeding to increase nutrient value. As long as most sunfish are well fed and kept around room temp with clean, cycled water, they will spawn. There are a few that require more work, but most are pretty reliable spawners.

Thank you so much for that reply, I have all that going on right now. The fish in question are what i feel to be a really nice pair of Obesus. The male is very nice , If i was any good at taking pictures i would post him. I really have no need to breed the fish as i dont know what i would do with all the fry if i were able get some. Since these fish are in a 75 with a few other natives that would really appreciate the young, im pretty sure that would not be a problem. Im mostly in the hobby for the accomplishment of keeping and raising these fish into beautiful adults. For that species, would a 15 breeder tank be big enough for the project ? I suppose if i were successful, i could always give them away to other hobbyist.

Thank you so much for that reply, I have all that going on right now. The fish in question are what i feel to be a really nice pair of Obesus. The male is very nice , If i was any good at taking pictures i would post him. I really have no need to breed the fish as i dont know what i would do with all the fry if i were able get some. Since these fish are in a 75 with a few other natives that would really appreciate the young, im pretty sure that would not be a problem. Im mostly in the hobby for the accomplishment of keeping and raising these fish into beautiful adults. For that species, would a 15 breeder tank be big enough for the project ? I suppose if i were successful, i could always give them away to other hobbyist.

Hmmm... I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure a 15 would work for a young pair for spawning. I'm more into the Lepomis species so I'm not sure if they use gravel to spawn or not. I believe in another thread on the forum someone mentioned that bluespotted sunfish spawn in vegetation rather than in a nest in the substrate like Lepomis, and I would assume that obesus spawning behavior would be similar considering they are within the same genus as bluespotteds.

See my post here... http://forum.nanfa.o...amp;#entry55146 I do think a 15 gallon tank is large enough. I have 6 bandeds, and a pair each of bluespotteds and blackbandeds in a 40 breeder. I see no reason why a single pair couldn't be made comfortable in a 15 gallon tank.

A very nice article, it seems i might have to add moss and driftwood in case they prefer that instead of gravel spawing though. The 15 is pretty roomy for one pair, since it is wide like a 40 breeder.

A 15 would be big enough as long as there are lots of hiding places and plants to allow the female to get away from the male when she's not in the mood. E. obesus isn't as aggressive as most Lepomis but the male can get a little pushy if the female doesn't respond to his satisfaction.

Thanks Mike, the pair in question are currently in a 75 with lots of hiding places, and other deversions, but when moved to the 15 by themselves, I can see where it would be harder on the female to stay safe. As you say the male even in the 75 on occasion will give her a little bump, but then she takes off to the great unknown. im thinkin as i set up this new home, ill add plants per brians suggestion and driftwood. I dont like to see fish hiding out really but it may have to be a trade off if this spawing project is gonna work for me.