RE: NANFA-L-- precocious Green Sunfish

Crail, Todd (tcrail-in-UTNet.UToledo.Edu)
Sun, 27 Nov 2005 12:23:12 -0500

Hi George,

One of the adaptations of the sunfishes, and particularly graphic in the genus
Lepomis, is to be able to produce small yet fertile clutches in stunted
populations (for whatever biotic or abiotic reason),-in-small body sizes. This
is especially true in the green sunfish, which is a species that has a strong
presence in headwater communities. While this is a small male who's just
sewing his oats, and nothing serious will come of it... In the wild, in many
situations, it would not be strange for a fish that size to nest and attract
fertile females.

That or he's just a real show off. ;)

I was suspicious that the "other fish" was another species, and his behavior
is that of newly introduced orangespots, I think you've nailed it. For
sunfish, they're the shy guys. Very rewarding to keep though because you can
stuff 'em in with all sorts of wimpy minnows and darters and they behave so
danged well... Unlike those greens which you'll swear off as Satan's spawn,
even in a tank with only members of their own genus! :)

I trust the "keeper worship" has begun as well? The part where they're going
"Oh oh! ME! Oh Oh! Food? Oh Oh! ME ME! Food? Yes? Oh Oh! Oh Oh Please!"

Todd
The Muddy Maumee Madness, Toledo, OH
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
http://www.farmertodd.com
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