Suborder Elassomatoidei
Family Elassomatidae
Genus Elassoma
All species inhabit the southeastern United States. They rarely exceed 3 cm in length. Compared to sunfishes (Centrarchidae), the body of Elassoma species is considerably more elongated and laterally compressed. The fins are rounded and fan-shaped. The dorsal and anal fins are strongly elongated, consisting of an anterior spiny-rayed portion and a posterior soft-rayed portion. Pygmy sunfishes are usually kept separately from other fish species in small aquariums, where they look most spectacular, especially when several pairs are kept together. The fish prefer dense thickets of fine-leaved plants, but also require free swimming space. They spend most of their time in the lower levels of the aquarium among plants.
Other species in the hobby: — Elassoma boehlkei (Rohde & Arndt, 1987) — Carolina Pygmy Sunfish. 3 cm. A very beautiful fish; the dark body is speckled with blue and yellow dots.
— Everglades Pygmy Sunfish — Elassoma evergladei [Jordan, 1884]. Forest swamps of the eastern US: from North Carolina to Florida. 4 cm, females usually up to 2 cm. The fish have an elongated and laterally compressed body. All fins are fan-shaped. Body coloration ranges from grayish-green to brown, with scattered silvery scales, dark spots, and usually random dark vertical bars. During the breeding season, the male turns dark blue with iridescent blue spots and dark fins. The female is less brightly colored, a drab yellowish shade with light brown spots, colorless fins, and a usually reddish belly. Fins are rounded and fan-shaped; hard fin rays are absent.
These are hardy and resilient, yet timid fish. They are usually kept in small groups of 3-4 pairs, separately from other species in a small species-specific aquarium. Peaceful, although territorial fish; it is best to keep only one male and several females. Males often fight among themselves defending their territory, so each must have sufficient space in the aquarium. However, all skirmishes between males end quite peacefully. During spawning, males actively patrol and defend a territory measuring about 12×12 cm.
Coarse river sand can be used as a substrate. Place a few stones and a piece of driftwood on the bottom. Dense vegetation of fine-leaved plants is required, where they spend most of their time motionless. However, an open swimming area should remain in the aquarium. The water should be clear and oxygen-rich. They are resilient to temperature changes; in winter, maintain a temperature of 10-12°C. They accept any fine live and frozen foods, and occasionally algae and dry food.
They reach maturity at 4-6 months. They spawn in the main aquarium. Spawning is preceded by courtship displays, after which the female deposits eggs on plant leaves. The parents do not touch the eggs or future fry, so it often happens that several generations of offspring swim in the same aquarium with the parents. Juveniles grow quite slowly; sex can be determined from 4 months of age. dH up to 25°, pH 7.0-8.0, temperature 15-22°C, with winter temperatures dropping to minimums and summer temperatures staying at optimal levels. Consequently, an aquarium heater is not required for these fish. In fact, they are an ideal choice for aquariums located in winter gardens or unheated rooms. Lifespan is about 6 years.
— Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish — Elassoma okefenokee [Bohlke, 1956]. Synonym: Elassoma evergladei orlandicum. North America, Florida Peninsula. 4 cm. Very similar to Elassoma evergladei. During the peak of the breeding season, males turn velvety black. The sides feature 7-9 irregularly spaced vertical blue stripes. Immediately behind and below the eye, there are iridescent blue stripes about 3 mm long. The dorsal and anal fins are dark blue to black with one or two rows of small semi-transparent dots. The caudal fin is similar but without dots. Males establish small spawning territories around plants. pH 6.0-6.5.
— Banded Pygmy Sunfish — Elassoma zonatum [Jordan, 1877]. USA: from southern Illinois to Alabama, west to Texas. 4 cm. A striped little fish. Coloration is olive-green with 9-11 black transverse bars separated by narrow pale-yellow intervals. The fins are typically dark with scattered small light spots. During spawning, iridescent blue highlights appear on the body and fins of males. Males, and sometimes females, have two or three black spots in the shoulder region. The female is much paler and fuller, with a brown back, mottled cream sides, and a white belly. Fins are colorless, sometimes with scattered small brown spots.
They can be kept together with similarly sized tropical fish (such as many tetras), but it is still better to provide a separate species aquarium, because in the company of aggressive neighbors, these shy and timid creatures will constantly hide in shelters. The fish prefer dense thickets of fine-leaved plants, but also need free swimming space. After courtship, the fish spawn among fine-leaved plants. Lifespan up to 2 years. T 18-23°C; pH 7-7.5; dH 8-12°.
Identification: Genus Elassoma.
Sturgeons: Genus Acipenser, Genus Pseudoscaphirhynchus, Genus Scaphirhynchus.
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia, paucispinis, plagiostomus, zebratus. 
