All fish / Elassomatidae

Everglades Pygmy Sunfish

Elassoma evergladei

Also known as everglades pygmy sunfish, pygmy sunfish, dwarf sunfish, everglades sunfish, pigmy sunfish, エラソーマ・エバーグレーディ, エラソーマ, 侏儒太阳鱼, 大沼泽侏儒太阳鱼

A tiny sunfish that looks drab brown until breeding males turn velvety black with shimmering blue spangles on the body and fins. It is kept for its fascinating display behaviour and because it suits small, densely planted tanks without a heater.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

10 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

30 litres

Keep as

A pair or a small group with more females than males

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp and cyclops; often refuses dry food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeastern USA: coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida and west to Alabama

Breeding

Males defend a small territory among plants and display to females, which scatter adhesive eggs on fine-leaved plants or moss. Breeding is fairly easy in a well planted species tank, and the parents usually leave the fry alone if cover is thick, though newly hatched fry need infusoria or other very small live food.

Good to know

Too small and shy for community tanks with active or larger fish, and it rarely accepts flake. A cool winter rest helps condition it for spawning.