Help Gasman choose a wet pet

[mdwalt1]

Consider a North Carolina native sunfish. They are beautiful and have loads of personality! These get to 6" - 8" max and a pair fit perfectly in a 29 or 55 gal.

There's something special about a native tank. It's hard to describe.
Check these beauties out:

Central Longear Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

If he's frugal and ambitious, he can even catch his own for his aquarium.
More info here: http://www.aa-fishing.com/nc/north-carolina-panfish-fishing.html

I have 5 juvie longears that I'm raising from fry. They started at 1/2 inch and are now 1.5 inches and beginning to show their spectacular coloration. They are very active and greet me enthusiastically every time I approach the tank. They eat flake food with the occasional frozen bloodworm or brine shrimp.

 

[noodles62]

We actually have Longear Sunfish in the creek by our apt. (well, when the weather warms up) I will suggest it and see what he says. Of course we would have to net them without being spotted by the neighbors! It would be cool with a tangle of driftwood and some tall vals.....

 

[mdwalt1]

Please be sure to have your fishing license on hand whether you're netting them or using a hook. Either way you're still fishing in public waters...

Whatever you do, be sure to ID your catch before keeping them (you may have an endangered specimen) and please don't take what you catch home and then decide to put them back in the creek later.

Other sources for these fish are your local bait shop. Many times they'll have these or other sunfish species on hand. Just be sure of what you're acquiring, some are more agressive than others.

I hope I'm not sounding too preachy - it's not my intent. I just want you to be aware. These are beautiful, native fish and deserve our care and protection.

 

[noodles62]

not preachy at all! i appreciate the tips because I of course, would prefer to capture them legally. (I just have to watch the neighbors cause they get all testy when you go near the creek!)

First I have to see if he likes/wants them...:huh:

 

[wataugachicken]

every time you talk about your neighbors, i hate them. what is their problem? are they that spiteful that they'll "tell" on you if you go near it? i think if you get an apartment that has a creek running through the property/next to it, the ability to enjoy that creek is part of what you are paying for in your rent. as long as you're not riding an atv down the stream bed, i don't think they can do anything about it. like someone else said, it's not a private creek, it's a public waterway. while the land you access it from may be private (the apartment complex) since you live there you have the right to be on the land. seriously, do you want me to come up there and give them nasty looks while you try to get a sunfish? i'll do it.

it's your creek as much as it is theirs. it being a public waterway, i don't think they really have any recourse to prevent you from fishing there as long as you have a license.

 

[armada]

I wish I could get at least one of my family members to get hooked on the fish hobby...But I'm all alone.
They'd rather pick on me for my fish obsession.

 

[noodles62]

Hi Watuaga. I agree with you, but I live in a "condo" (apt. w/ a garage!) with an 'association". Most of the residents are elderly and nosey. If you forget to pick up after your dog all hell breaks loose! They seem very particular with the grounds and the creek (rightly so, but come on!) and I can only imagine if I got caught netting fish out of the creek!
We went to look at the "big fish" at a LFS and he was impressed but also a little intimidated with the Oscars and the Sevs peaked his interest. (leaning towards the O) They had a Red Devil that was mean as Hell! LOL
He also saw a 75 gallon tank that he fell in love with! We will be taking this one step at a time due to $$ but I have a great work table that the tank could go on so the stand is one expense we won't have.....
I personally hope he goes for the Oscar. What kind of tank mates, if any can you typically put with an Oscar?
Thanks for putting up with me, this thread and Gasman's indecisiveness!