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Blackbanded Sunfish

Family: Centrarchidae

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Enneacanthus chaetodon Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   The Blackbanded Sunfish is an attractive fish, native to the United States, that can be kept in an unheated aquarium!

   Most domestic fish species are overlooked as aquarium pets in the USA and this is a shame. It is often thought that local = colorless and boring but if you ever see a Blackbanded Sunfish in full color, you’ll know that this assessment is very wrong.

   The Blackbanded Sunfish is a temperate species that is found in the Eastern USA and has made its way into the aquarium industry only because they are being bred in the Far East. Part of the reason has to do with local state fish and game laws. Some states consider all sunfish as game fish, even though some species such as the Blackbanded Sunfish do not get large enough to really be a game fish. It is usually illegal to transport live game fish from the waters where they were caught. Some states do not allow wild caught fish to be kept as pets because they fear they may end up being released into waters where they to do not want them to exist. Also, the transmitting of diseases is a consideration. Check your local laws before collecting or transporting any wild caught fish. It is also a good idea to make sure that it is OK in your state for you to keep Blackbanded Sunfish in an aquarium before you purchase any.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Blackbanded Sunfish was described by Baird in 1855. They are found in the United States from New Jersey to central Florida dwelling in the slow moving or quiet waters of vegetated lakes, ponds, pools, and the muddy bottom backwaters of creeks and small rivers.

Status:
   The Blackbanded Sunfish is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Blackbanded Sunfish is a deep-bodied species and laterally compressed. The body coloration is shiny silver with a black vertical bars, starting with the first bar running through the eye and extending back to the tail fin.

Size - Weight:
   These fish can reach up to 4 inches (10 cm).

Care and feeding:
   The Blackbanded Sunfish are carnivores. They will do best if fed smaller live or frozen food such as bloodworms, blackworms or brine shrimp.
   A 30 gallon tank is the minimum suggested size for the Blackbanded Sunfish. This is a temperate species which does not like to live in high temperatures all year long. The tank should be unheated and should be allowed to cool down to the lower sixties or even into the fifties during the winter. Provide a substrate of fine sand with plants along the inside parameters and an open area for swimming. They need a lot of oxygen, so be sure the tank is well aerated. They need good water quality, but are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, water changes, and chemicals.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   They will generally swim near the bottom of the tank.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Temp: 39 - 72° F (4 – 22° C)
   Hardness: 10 - 20 dGH
   Ph: 6.5 - 7.5

Social Behaviors:
   They are generally peaceful but can become aggressive and territorial when spawning. As they are a temperate species and the tank should be unheated, they shouldn’t be kept with tropical species. If you aren’t planning on breeding the sunfish, other temperate species such as minnows and Dojo Loaches will do well with them.

Sexual Differences:
   Blackbanded Sunfish are difficult to sex, but generally the males are more heavy bodied and colorful.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Blackbanded Sunfish are occasionally tank spawned but this is not an easy undertaking. The main problem is, like many temperate species, they need a cooling down period during the winter to get into spawning condition. If you are able to get their water down to a stable temperature in the lower forties for a few months, you make be able to entice them to spawn. A good article on the subject can be found at http://www.nanfa.org/articles/acbanded.shtml.

Availability:
   Uncommon in the aquarium trade, but they are occasionally available.

Author: Ken Childs

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Latest Comments
I recently took my seven year old daughter out to a lake for a nature swim and relaxation. She brought along her little net and a beach bucket. She caught about fifteen of the baby black banded sunfish. They were so cute, they resembled angel fish. I put them in my 70 gallon fishtank. So far they have been thriving. I feed them freeze driend krill. We love these little fish. So far they are about the size of a nickel. I live in New Jersey and realize the best things in nature are right here. My daughter loves all creatures and she really loves taking care of these swimming little jems. Christina Ritz 2008-08-23

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Author: Ken Childs
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