smallest sunfish I can easily breed in 29g

Yea, i'm not trying to make hybrids, I just like both a lot. I may just go with Northern Longears and I can move a fish or two into a 15g tub if it gets ugly. How many should I go with? Will be visiting Brian Zimmerman on Sunday to help him get some fish inside or whatever else he's working on at the time, also buying some fish. Should I go with three to try to ensure a pair? 4? I doubt they'll be large enough to sex, which I want them to be very small to start with anyways as i'll be keeping them in a 10g for a month or two.

To play safer, six small juveniles to ensure breeding group. Remember system not based on pairs, it is polygamous for most Lepomis spp. Northerns assume! Brian might able to sex them smaller than you think.

If small, even if not, try to hatch out and feed them some brine shrimp. Great conditioning food and provides practice with process if needed.

Once you can identify a male, isolate him in your 10-gallon aquarium with a shallow bowl with diameter roughly twice the male's total length.

To play safer, six small juveniles to ensure breeding group. Remember system not based on pairs, it is polygamous for most Lepomis spp. Northerns assume! Brian might able to sex them smaller than you think.

If small, even if not, try to hatch out and feed them some brine shrimp. Great conditioning food and provides practice with process if needed.

Once you can identify a male, isolate him in your 10-gallon aquarium with a shallow bowl with diameter roughly twice the male's total length.

Isolate him and wait for him to build a nest? Then add female? So you're saying spawn them in 10g while the rest stay in 29? If not further explain.

Isolate him and wait for him to build a nest? Then add female? So you're saying spawn them in 10g while the rest stay in 29? If not further explain.

Got it right on almost all counts. After male isolated for a few days you promote nest building by either adding water from tank with females or put female in with male for short time.

Got it right on almost all counts. After male isolated for a few days you promote nest building by either adding water from tank with females or put female in with male for short time.

haha these fish are awesome. Thanks for the help, i'll probably be consulting with you from time to time if thats alright with you.

I suppose I should also know the approximate size or age they reach sexual maturity also, can't find much northern longear specific information on the web.

Certainly in regards to questions. We have bred so many different types of sunfishes indoors that it would be a waste if not able to pass on culture information that works so consistently.

Males will go at less than 3". Female around 2". These lengths are less than what typically breeds in wild.

Be prepared to deal with container promoted social problems by more direct observation when bringing brood fish together. Otherwise easy and fun.

Certainly in regards to questions. We have bred so many different types of sunfishes indoors that it would be a waste if not able to pass on culture information that works so consistently.

Males will go at less than 3". Female around 2". These lengths are less than what typically breeds in wild.

Be prepared to deal with container promoted social problems by more direct observation when bringing brood fish together. Otherwise easy and fun.

At what age/size is it normal to start seeing aggression between northern longears of the same brood?

At what age/size is it normal to start seeing aggression between northern longears of the same brood?

Pecking order sets up immediately after metamorphosis. It is size based. I do not think they recognize each as individuals until they start to show colors.

Updating this thread a little.  Breeding Bantams now and they are very easy.

 

http://www.nanfa.org...ishspawning.pdf