Everglades Pygmy Sunfish Care Guide
Elassoma evergladei is a tiny North American freshwater fish from heavily vegetated, temperate waters; breeding males turn iridescent blue-black.
Overview
Elassoma evergladei is a tiny freshwater fish of the family Elassomatidae, endemic to North America. It generally grows to about 2.3 cm and reaches a maximum of about 3.4 cm. It lacks a lateral line and has a small oblique mouth. Breeding males turn black with iridescent blue spots, while females are mottled brown and cream.
Taxonomy
- Family: Elassomatidae
- Genus: Elassoma
- Scientific name: Elassoma evergladei
- Common synonyms: Florida Pygmy Sunfish
Habitat
The species occurs in the United States from the Cape Fear River drainage in North Carolina to Mobile Bay in Alabama, and south through Florida to the northern Everglades. It is a demersal freshwater fish of swamps, sphagnum bogs, vegetated sloughs, canals, ponds and sluggish streams, usually over mud, and tolerates a wide temperature range of about 10-30 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L
- Temperature: 10-24 °C (50-75 °F); a heater is not required
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
- Setup: densely planted, slow flow
Diet
The pygmy sunfish is an invertivore that feeds on worms and small crustaceans, including cladocerans, dipteran and chironomid larvae, copepods and ostracods. In aquaria it generally requires small live and frozen foods and is fed twice daily.
Compatibility
The fish is peaceful and best suited to species or nano setups. Suitable companions include white cloud mountain minnows, cherry shrimp and least killifish, while warmth-demanding tropical fish, large fish and aggressive species should be avoided.
Breeding
Elassoma evergladei is oviparous. Females lay about 40 to 60 eggs among aquatic vegetation, with a preference for fine-leaved plants such as Ceratophyllum, and the male guards the eggs.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2011).