Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma okefenokee)

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Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish

Elassoma okefenokee5568.jpg
Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish

Elassoma okefenokee

95 Litres (25 US G.)

2.5-3.4 cm (1-1.3")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6.0 - 8.0

4 -30 °C (39.2-86°F)

6-20 °d

1:2 M:F

Carnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

5-8 years

Family

Elassomatidae



Additional names

Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish

Additional scientific names

Elassoma evergladei orlandicum


Origin

North America: Lower Altamaha River drainage, Georgia south to central part of peninsular Florida, and west to Choctawhatchee River drainage, Florida, USA.


Sexing

The male turns black with blue sparkles while the females remains clear, tan, and light brown.


Tank compatibility

A generally peaceful fish which should either be kept in species tanks or with peaceful and similar sized mid-bottom dwellers. Males will chase other tank mates if they're spawning.


Diet

They eat small crustaceans, aquatic insects, young snails, and other microfauna. Some good foods to try in the aquarium are california blackworms, daphnia, microworms, and having a healthy population of snails. Some pygmy sunfish will learn to supplement their diet with crushed flake food, but this should not be relied upon as the only food source. The crushed fish flakes are a good idea, though, because they will feed the microfauna that will in turn feed the Elassoma.


Feeding regime

Because these fish graze all day long on food in the wild, a constant food supply in the aquarium would be best. If the tank had a healthy population of blackworms, the Okefenokee pygmy sunfish can eat them whenever it is hungry.


Environment specifics

Heavily planted aquariums with finely leafed plants such as Ceratophyllum demersum and Cabomba caroliniana.


Behaviour

The males spend most of their time displaying and dancing for the females. They constantly patrol their territory, chasing off invading males and attempting to woo females into their plants to spawn. Males will chase all fish away, even females, for several days after spawning to protect the eggs until they hatch. After they hatch he will continue his dancing and spawning routine.
Okefenokee spend most of their time near the shelter of fine leafed plants. If the plants extend all the way to the surface, densely, then the Elassoma will inhabit them. If the plants are mostly dense around the middle and bottom of the tank, then that is where you will find the fish.


Identification

Elassoma okefenokee differs from its close relative Elassoma gilberti by possessing three preopercular canals (gilberti has, on average, four). The average number of anal fin rays is seven in E. gilberti and eight in E. okefenokee. The female E. gilberti often expresses a blue patch of colour behind her eye and on her body, while the E. okefenokee does not.

Pictures

External links