Mud Sunfish

The Mud Sunfish inhabits slow-moving, heavily vegetated, often acidic blackwater streams and swamps along the Atlantic coastal plain from New York to Florida. Despite its plain, dark olive-brown colouration it is a personable and interesting aquarium fish.

It is notably cold-tolerant for a sunfish, surviving temperatures close to freezing. In the aquarium it is relatively shy and is best provided with ample hiding places among roots, stones, and dense planting. Juveniles are easier to accommodate than fully grown adults.

Mud Sunfish are carnivorous and will consume invertebrates and smaller fish. A biotope setup with North American native companions of similar size is ideal.

Water: 8–24°C, pH 6.0–7.5, GH 2–15; tolerant of acidic, tannin-rich blackwater conditions. Tank: minimum 150 L, dense vegetation, root tangles and rock hides; fine sand substrate. Feeding: carnivore — earthworms, frozen bloodworm, prawns, pellets accepted in time. Breeding: spawns in spring; male guards nest; rarely documented in captivity. Compatibility: semi-aggressive; will eat small fish; best with robust North American natives of similar size.