Everglades pygmy sunfish
Elassoma evergladei
Also known as Florida pygmy sunfish, Pygmy sunfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 54–82°F
- 12–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.3 in
- 3.4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 8 gal
- 30 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Elassomatidae
- Origin
- Native to the southeastern United States from North Carolina to Florida, in heavily planted, still swamps and ditches.
Overview
A tiny temperate fish at around 3 cm, it suits a densely planted tank from about 30 litres and needs no heater in a normal room. Keep it cool at 12 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5, with an ideal around 18 to 24 C. Keep it in a small group in a calm species tank, as it is shy and easily outcompeted. It generally needs small live and frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, microworm and daphnia, since it often ignores flake.
In the wild
The Everglades pygmy sunfish is a tiny native of the southeastern United States, with males flashing black and iridescent blue when courting. It lives in still, heavily vegetated swamps and ditches. It picks tiny invertebrates from among the plants.
Good to know
Elassoma evergladei reaches only about 3.4 cm and belongs to the pygmy sunfish family Elassomatidae. It is a temperate fish that tolerates a wide temperature range and does not need a heater in most rooms. Courting males perform a jerky dance to attract females.
Did you know
Despite the sunfish name, this thumbnail-sized native lives happily at room temperature and is often kept in an unheated tank.
Common questions
What size tank does an Everglades pygmy sunfish need?
An Everglades pygmy sunfish needs at least 8 gal (30 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Everglades pygmy sunfish need?
An Everglades pygmy sunfish is comfortable at 54–82°F (12–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does an Everglades pygmy sunfish get?
An adult Everglades pygmy sunfish reaches about 1.3 in (3.4 cm).
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