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PERCHES


CENTRARCHIDAE FAMILY
The Centrarchidae or Sunfish family inhabits cold to temperate waters in the United States.

Pumpkinseed[Pictures]
Lepomis gibbosus
SYN: Eupomotis aureus, E. gibbosus, Perca gibbosa, Pomotis gibbosus, P. vulgaris, Sparus aureus
PD:An oval-shaped with with a laterally compressed body. The caudal peduncle is long and the dorsal fin is made up of 10-12 spiny rays. The color varies depending on the age of the fish. Younger fish have brown base coloration with overlaying pearly-green iridescence markings. The body is marked with numerous orange to red spots. The gill cover is marked with a characteristic rear flap which is black with a red end. The lower parts are orange while the fins are yellow to brown. The colors darken with age.
SIZE: To 9" (23 cm)
SS: Enneacanthus species.
HAB: North America; Great Lakes to Texas and east.
S: bottom, middle
TANK: A tank measuring 36" (91 cm) with a volume from 35-45 gallons (132-170 L) is sufficient for young fish. Adult fish require a tank measuring at least 48" (122 cm) with a capacity from 50-70 gallons (190-266 L). Plant the tank along the edges and back and use a fine gravel substrate. Leave open swimming areas and use good aeration.
WATER: pH 6.9-7.6 (7.1), 6-15 dH (8), 43-72°F (6-22°C)
SB: A peaceful species outside of spawning times when it become territorial. A patriarchal family is formed.
SC: Other sunfish, minnows, Misgurnus
FOOD: Live; worms, insects, insect larvae, brine shrimp, small fish; pellets; tablets; flakes
SEX: Males are generally more colorful, while females have fuller bellies. These differences are not foolproof.
B: Use water with a temperature from 64-68°F (18-20°C). A large spawning pit is constructed by the male using his tail. Courtship involves the pair meeting belly to belly in the spawning pit. Up to 1000 eggs are laid which are aggressively defended by the male. Remove the female. The male fans the eggs until they hatch 4-6 days later. The fry are fanned into plants where they hang for 3-4 days before becoming free-swimming. Start feeding with Artemia nauplii.
BP: 6. Easiest to breed when the water temperature varies according to the season. For example, in the winter the water should be considerably cooler than in the summer.
R: This species has been introduced into many parts of Europe. The Pumpkinseed can be kept in an outdoor pond, although the water temperature should not drop below 43°F (6°C).
DC: 4. This peaceful, cold water species is a fine addition to some outdoor ponds.


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Recent news

Using fish as livestock feed threatens global fisheries

(11/18/2009) Fish doesn't just feed humans. Millions of tons of fish are fed every year to chickens, pigs, and even farmed fish even in the midst of rising concerns over fish stocks collapses around the world. Finding an alternative to fish as livestock feed would go a long way toward preventing the collapse of fish populations worldwide according to a new paper in Oryx.


ICCAT fails to protect critically endangered tuna—again

(11/15/2009) The International Commissions for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) ignored the advice of its scientists to end fishing of the Atlantic bluefin tuna. Instead ICAAT set a quota of 13,500 tons of fish. This is not the first time ICCAT has flouted its own researchers' advice: it has repeatedly set quotas well-above its researchers' recommendations.


Governments, public failing to save world's species

(11/04/2009) According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) 2008 report, released yesterday, 36 percent of the total species evaluated by the organization are threatened with extinction. If one adds the species classified as Near Threatened, the percentage jumps to 44 percent—nearly half.


Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned internationally: ICCAT scientists

(10/29/2009) Scientists with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) have said in a new report that a global ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing is justified. ICCAT meets in November to decide if they will follow their scientist's recommendations.


The Yangtze River may have lost another inhabitant: the Chinese paddlefish

(10/22/2009) In December of 2006 it was announced that the Yangtze River dolphin, commonly known as the baiji, had succumbed to extinction. The dolphin had survived on earth for 20 million years, but the species couldn't survive the combined onslaught of pollution, habitat loss, boat traffic, entanglement in fishing hooks, death from illegal electric fishing, and the construction of several massive dams. Now, another flagship species of the Yangtze River appears to have vanished.


Freshwater species worse off than land or marine

(10/15/2009) Scientists have announced that freshwater species are likely the most threatened on earth. Extinction rates for freshwater inhabitants are currently four to six times the rates for terrestrial and marine species. Yet, these figures have not lead to action on the ground.



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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009

The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.