Banded pygmy sunfish (Elassoma zonatum)

Scientific name: Elassoma zonatum Jordan, 1877

Banded pygmy sunfish (Elassoma zonatum)

The Banded pygmy sunfish (Elassoma zonatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Elassomatidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–25°C (50–77°F).

Banded pygmy sunfish care at a glance

Temperature
10–25°C (50–77°F)

Biology

Occur in swamps, heavily vegetated sloughs and small sluggish streams, usually over mud. Oviparous, eggs are deposited in aquatic vegetation, preferably on strands of Ceratophyllum sp. When available. Feed on microcrustacea together with midge larvae, larger crustacea (isopods and amphipods), mayfly nymphs, and small snails and clams.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Elassoma zonatum
Family
Elassomatidae (Pygmy sunfishes)
Order
Elassomatiformes (Pygmy sunfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.7
Common length
3.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 20 demersal
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
North America: Lower Roanoke River drainage, North Carolina; south to middle parts of St. Johns River, Florida; west to Brazos River drainages, Texas; and north to lower Wabash River drainage, Indiana and Illinois, USA.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=145)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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