Order Perciformes
Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Genus Enneacanthus
Representatives of the genus are characterized by a short, high, oval-shaped body, strongly compressed laterally. Females are less brightly colored, with glossy spots very weakly expressed, and the body is crossed by several vertical stripes. Calm, peaceful fish, keeping in small groups, dislike strong lighting and sudden changes in water parameters. They can be kept in a community aquarium, but not with active fish; better with other fish of the family. Substrate: river sand, dense plants, as they are timid and need hiding places. Water: 15-20°C, lowering in winter months to 10-12°C strengthens the health of the fish.
Identification: Genus Enneacanthus
— Blackbanded sunfish — Enneacanthus chaetodon [Baird, 1855]. Synonym: Mesogonistius chaetodon. USA, New Jersey and Maryland states – standing and slow-flowing waters. 10 cm, in the aquarium no more than 6-8 cm. Its flat body has the shape of a small disc. Characterized by a deep notch between the soft and hard parts of the dorsal fin. Fish coloration is silvery, but can vary to yellow.
Six intermittent dark brown to black transverse stripes run across the pearlescent body (darker in the female), between which dark spots are scattered, especially many near the tail. The first extends through the eye, the second passes under the gills, or rather, intersects the gill cover, the third, fourth, and fifth go along the body, and the sixth lies as spots at the base of the tail. The stripes sometimes lighten and can disappear altogether (for example, in the male during spawning).
There are many black specks on the anal, caudal, and soft parts of the dorsal fins. By the spawning period, the male develops dark earring-like spots on the gill covers, the female’s belly becomes fuller, and she becomes brighter than the male, the first two rays of the pelvic fins are bright orange, and the following ones are velvety black. Most of the fins are rounded.
Young fish are much more brightly colored than adults. They have the first two rays of the dorsal fin black, the third red, and the first two rays of the pelvic fins brownish-yellow. The anal, caudal, and soft part of the dorsal fin are the same color as the fish’s body. The fish does not shine with bright colors, but in its shape and movements, it is very spectacular.
In a community with other fish, unlike other perches, they live very peacefully. Peaceful, however, with age they become aggressive towards small fish. Can be kept in a general aquarium with calm and peaceful species, but not with active fish. They keep in small groups, during the spawning period they begin to separate in pairs, trying to find a secluded place in the aquarium to build a nest. Aquarium with a sandy substrate, partially planted with plants, but necessarily with a free space in the center for swimming and feeding.
They do not like strong lighting. They really like a clean aquarium where they can live for several years. Keeping conditions must be stable, as fish poorly tolerate environmental fluctuations. Sensitive to water pollution and the presence of chemical compounds, including medications. In cloudy, poorly oxygenated water, fish easily get sick and die.
Belong to eurythermal fish, i.e., living in an environment where sharp temperature drops occur throughout the year. Therefore, these fish are kept in winter at a temperature slightly above 0°C, at which the fish fall into a lethargic sleep and do not take food. But the very first March sun awakens them to life. As soon as the temperature rises to 14°C, males begin to make pits in the sandy substrate, and the dark pattern of the females becomes more intense. At 18°C, the fish spawn, laying eggs in the prepared pits.
Although E. chaetodon kept in warm water all year round also produces offspring, it does not achieve the color richness characteristic of offspring that appeared in a cold-water aquarium. Mostly require live food. Lifespan up to 6 years. Hardness 10-30°; pH 7-8; temperature 12-24°C.
— Bluespotted sunfish — Enneacanthus gloriosus [Holbrook, 1855]. USA: eastern states from New York to Florida. 8 cm. The body is olive-brown to light brown, with numerous shiny green, pink, or golden dots. Paired fins are reddish-brown, unpaired are colorless. Females are smaller than males and less brightly colored, they have fewer dots, glossy spots are very weakly expressed, and the body is crossed by several transverse stripes.
The male has larger dorsal and anal fins. During the spawning period, the body and fins are covered with glowing blue and green spots. It has a small black spot on the gill cover that distinguishes it from E. obesus.
Peaceful, timid, keep in a school, but they are territorial during spawning. Outside the breeding season, they live in small groups. Can be kept in a general aquarium, but not with active fish. Do not like bright lighting. Black gravel at the bottom of the aquarium will enhance the richness of colors of these fish, dense vegetation on the edges. Regarding water freshness and temperature, they are unpretentious (10-30°C), but sharp fluctuations cause disease and death.
Clean, oxygen-rich water is required, so it makes sense to acquire a quality filter and aerator in advance. Susceptible to fungal diseases if proper water values are not maintained. They feel good in cool water aquariums. Prefer a varied live or frozen diet. pH 7.0-7.5; T 10-25°C; dH 8-12°.
— Banded sunfish — Enneacanthus obesus [Girard, 1854]. USA: From Massachusetts to Florida. 7-10 cm. Body with a high back profile, strongly compressed laterally. The main background of the body is olive-brown to light brown, scattered with numerous spots and dots of shiny blue-green or pink color, 4-6 wide dark transverse stripes on the sides extending to the fins may appear. A dark stripe passes through the eye.
A large black spot on the gill cover. Unpaired fins are light brown, in most cases with a red tint, covered with green dots. The male has larger anal and dorsal fins, and the black spot on the gill cover has a golden rim. The female has fewer spots on the body, she is smaller than the males.
Regarding water freshness and temperature, sunfishes are unpretentious. They often show some aggressiveness, especially towards conspecifics, yet are considered timid fish that retreat in fierce competition for food and territory. They can be kept with tropical species even in a heated aquarium, but at water temperatures above 24°C, the fish’s coloration fades.
They can be kept at 10-32°C, but sharp fluctuations in water temperature cause disease and even death. It is advisable to have a dark substrate, as this makes the fish’s coloration brighter. Prefer a varied live or frozen diet. The male cares for the eggs. dH 8-25°; pH 6-8.
Lepomis auritus, Lepomis gibbosus.
Description of the family Centrarchidae, Centrarchus macropterus. 
