FishProfiles.com Message Forums

anyone have info on keeping them?

From what I know they're native to east coast US freshwater areas?

I've seen them diving, they get very large (try having one bite at your dive mask!) Are you planning on keeping them in a tank?

^_^

yeah i have an empty 29 gallon long

From what I know of them, they grow way to big, and are too active for a 29

That's about all I can say, someone else might have something more helpful though.

^_^

If you start them in a 29G you should surely start looking for a bigger home very soon. I would recommend a 55G or a 75G minimum.

Here is a slid show of the Green Sunfish I kept in a 55G.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I'm not sure about perch, but for sunfish, it would depend on what type you kept. There are some sunfish that only get 6-8" long and could easily be kept in a 29 gal tank, as long as it was properly maintained.

I had a juvie "pumpkinseed" sunfish in a 10 gallon tank for a while. When he got about 5", gave him to a friend to put in his 55 gal cichlid tank so he'd have more room, but the cichlids were too territorial and killed him after a few days. I think he would have done just fine alone in a 29 gal tank, though. He wasn't too terribly active (didn't dart across the tank or anything), but he did like a bit of swimming room. I fed him Tetra 'Cichlid Sticks', btw.

Do some research, maybe talk to some fishermen... decide what species will work best in your tank. If you can get one that will be okay in that small of a tank, then I say go for it

OK gotta say it.. Their both good eatin.

As far as keeping them as pets. Biggest sunfish I've caught was up to about 5 inches. But possibly could get larger.

Now for perch, I've seen these guys and heard of them upwards of over 12 inches. Those was usually caught or seen in the winter months around Lake Erie.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Found this after searching for other info:

Sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus
This is fish is found in lakes throughout most of Canada and the United States. They can adapt to a variety of water temperatures from 50F up to about 75F, however they do best in the 60's range. When fully mature they can reach a length of 6 to 7 inches. The water pH can range from 6.5 up to 8. They are very intolerant of salt in the water. They eat mostly insects such as dragonfly nymphs, snails, water bugs, worms or any other bug unfortunate enough to fall in the water when they are around. They will feed at both the surface and the bottom of the tank.
To get them to breed, they need to have a cooling period where the water temp. drops at least 10F for a month before bringing it up to regular temps. again. When breeding, the male will clean a spot in the substrate and encourage the female to lay her egg in the nest. The male will then protect the eggs by fanning them and rolling them around until they hatch.



Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Check the thread on Native Freshwater fish in General Freshwater. You reminded me that I asked a similar question months ago. I got ALOT of great answers and links from some very helpful folks.

Good Luck!

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}