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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
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.
New species of ghostshark discovered off California's coast
(09/22/2009)
The discovery of Eastern Pacific black ghostshark Hydrolagus melanophasma is notable for a number of reasons. It is the first new species of cartilaginous fish—i.e fish whose skeletons are made entirely of cartilage, such as sharks, rays, and skate—to be described in California water since 1947. It is also a representative of an ancient and little-known group of fish.
Photos: new deep sea species discovered off the Canary Islands
(09/21/2009)
Owned by Spain, but located just off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands sport a wide variety of marine life, including five species of marine turtles, ten species of sharks and rays, and innumerable fish and invertebrates. However, a new expedition has gone beyond the known, sending a robot to depths of 500 meters to discover the secrets of the Canary Island's deep sea.
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