..................................Pumpkinseed
Other names:...........none Origin:......................North America Max size:..................9" PH:............-..............6.9-7.3 Temperature:...........55-75 F. Min tank size:..........55 gallons Food:.........................live foods, flakes, pellets |
The pumpkinseed is a species of sunfish native to the United
States, but
is popular as an aquarium fish domestically and world-wide.
The body shape is typical of all sunfish. Moderately compressed, deep,
spiny frontal dorsal fin, and possessing a long cadual peduncle. The mouth
however is small, typical of the non-predatory sunfish.
Pumpkinseeds are probably the most beautiful of all sunfishes, and among
the most beautiful of all U.S. native fishes. The body is a golden brown
and covered with iridescent blue-green irregular spots. As in all sunfish,
the body is lighter on the belly, usually a creamy white or yellow. The head
is marked with horizontal light-flourescent stripes. Like the bluegill,
the pumpkinseed has a black "ear" flap. The pectoral and pelvic fins are
sometimes colored with translucent white or blue. The rest of the fins are
grey with occasionally various shades of yellow.
Because pumpkinseeds are native, they can be collected where they are abundant.
The best method is to dip-net fry or young fish which frequent shallows with
abundant vegetation cover. It is possible to get pumpkinseeds on the retail
market because they are so popular and have no other use except as aquarium
fish. Rarely they are angled for.
Pumpkinseeds are easy to take care of as long as they have a roomy tank with
cool well oxygenated water and nutritious food. They are best kept alone as
a pair, however they
can be kept readily with other sunfish, particularly bluegills and green
sunfish.
They enjoy worm foods, and other aquatic invertebrates, along with high
quality freeze dried
and prepared foods. The water quality should be neutral, clean, areated, with
a temperature between 55 and 75 degrees F. Aquarium furnishings should include
plenty of vegetation along with driftwood, and naturally occuring rocks.
Pumpkinseeds
can be shy, at the same time agressive when kept with smaller fish. They can
be released as with all other natives where they were found. This is usually
best for them.
Breeding is accomplished much the same way as cichlids. The male digs a pit in
the substrate, and the eggs are deposited in this. The parents, particularly
the male
guard the offspring until they are free swimming and able to take care of
themselves. Breeding is best accomplished with a carefully selected pair
that is kept in a warm garden pond. Pumpkinseeds hybridize with other sunfish
making identification difficult in the wild where more than one species may
be found.
Pumpkinseeds are just another example of our special natives which have
never been popular. Once aquarists realize that these fish provide a beautiful
alternative to large cichlids, this may change.
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