Everglades Pygmy Sunfish

Elassoma evergladei, also known as Everglades Pygmy Sunfish, is native to the USA, where it is primarily native to swamps and small, slow-moving bodies of water with muddy bottoms. Although it can reach a length of up to 3.5cm, most animals remain significantly smaller with a body length of around 2.5cm. The male Everglades Pygmy Sunfish in particular have an extremely beautiful coloring: the dark, black-brown marbled body and the numerous metallic blue iridescent scales that adorn it form a wonderful contrast to one another.

Care in the aquarium

Due to its small size, the Everglades Pygmy Sunfish can be kept in an aquarium with a capacity of 54 liters. Depending on the size of the aquarium, one or more pairs can be kept together. A small group is easily possible in sufficiently large aquariums. The small perch can also be kept in the garden pond over the summer. Elassoma evergladei is a peaceful fish, but also forms small territories, which are also defended. For this reason, the tank should be well structured with roots, stone structures and dense vegetation so that the animals can get out of the way and retreat if necessary. Up to 2 pairs can be kept in a 54 liter tank. Socialization is possible in a larger tank with similarly small and peaceful fish. For the health of the Everglades Pygmy Sunfish and the longest possible lifespan, a hibernation period of at least 2 months at temperatures between 10 and 15°C is important and necessary, which is why this fish is not necessarily suitable for beginners. If kept well, Elassoma evergladei can live for around 4 to 5 years.

Feeding

In nature, the Everglades Pygmy Sunfish feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other aquatic creatures. In the aquarium, this carnivorous (flesh-eating) ambush hunter is fed mainly with live food that is not too large, such as copepods, daphnia, artemia (nauplii) or mosquito larvae. In some cases it can also be used to frozen food.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

The males in particular impress with their dark coloring of black and brown with iridescent blue scales, while the females have a more inconspicuous brown coloring. The black coloring of males is particularly intense during the courtship period. Breeding Elassoma evergladei is only possible after a cool winter (10-15°C for at least 2 months). The female lays the approximately 40-60 eggs in the male’s territory, which means that the male indirectly defends them against potential predators. However, brood care in the classic sense is not carried out. Since this species does not prey on its offspring, the young and parents can be left in the same aquarium. The first feeding of the young fish, which hatch after about 3-7 days, takes place after just one day with the smallest live food such as infusoria.