Redbreast Sunfish

Lepomis auritus is one of the most striking members of the sunfish family, found throughout Atlantic slope drainages from New Brunswick to Florida. Breeding males develop an intense orange-red breast patch and brilliant turquoise-blue streaks radiating from the eye across the cheek — a display that rivals many tropical cichlids. The elongated black ear flap, longer than in most other Lepomis, is diagnostic of the species.

In the aquarium, Redbreast Sunfish are active and personable fish that quickly learn to associate their keeper with food. They thrive in cool, well-oxygenated tanks with a sandy or gravel substrate, plenty of flat rocks for territory demarcation, and moderate current. Driftwood and submerged branches replicate their natural streamside habitat and provide shelter.

Due to their territorial nature, they are best kept as a single specimen or as a compatible male-female pair in larger setups. They accept most meaty foods readily and can be transitioned to high-quality pellets. Compatibility with similarly sized, robust tankmates is possible but requires monitoring.

Water: 15–25 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, moderate hardness; well-oxygenated with gentle current. Tank: 200 L minimum; sandy/gravel substrate, flat rocks, driftwood, and open swimming space. Feeding: Live/frozen invertebrates, worms, crickets; accepts quality carnivore pellets once settled. Breeding: Nest-builder; male fans a gravel pit and guards eggs and fry vigorously — remove female post-spawning. Compatibility: Keep singly or as a pair; avoid fin-nipping or very small tankmates.