Sunfish Angry After Taking Out Pleco

Ok, so we have this sunfish that my daughter caught on a school field trip and brought home two years ago. It is our o my pet and very loved. We have learned a lot since adopting this fish but are always encountering new things. Recently we decided to take our place to the pet store because we went camping for 8 days, left a feeder in the tank, but somehow the pie o didn't get enough food and started sucking on Sunny our sunfish. Sunny had red on his side's and we thought it was An illness at first but then realized it was from Bob the place. We had Bob with Sunny for over a year together and always seemed to get along, but after taking Bob out Sunny got really and! We left on another 3 day vacation thinking he would settle down because the pet store lady said they don't get attached but we have been back now for 3 days and he is still angry when we come near the tank. He isn't eating his peas and bloodworms like he had been either. We are so worried to see him this way, with stripes, flexed gills and jetting around when he used to love our attention. What do you think happened and do you think getting another place would help. Could he be lonely? Thanks for any help, I know it's not the normal fish people have but we love and try to take care of him the best we can!

 

Sorry for the typos! The other fish was a pleco.

 

Is the wound healed? Perhaps he's not feeling well/has some sort of infection/illness rather than is "angry"?

 

The red is gone on his sides . He seems pretty normal until he sees us and instantly gets stripes and acts angry. He never acted like that except for when he was in mating season, but even then he would stop when I fed him. This is definitely related to taking the pleco away. He instantly turned like this?

 

Why not put the pleco back?

 

Well, he was sucking off sunny's slime coat which can be harmful, and it's a habit I read that once they start they don't stop. No matter how much you feed them. We are thinking about buying a new pleco and see if it helps. We really don't want to have the same thing happen, or Sunny be too aggressive with it because he is in such a bad mood now.??

 

What size tank is the sunfish in? And how big is the sunfish?

 

The tank is 29 gallons and Sunny is about 6-7".

 

That's a pretty small tank for a fish that big.

 

How big would you say he needs? We were told this would be a good size for him.

 

Ok, so just got a ruler, I guess he is about4.5-5", sorry.

 

Probably like a 55-60 gallon from what I've read on the internet.

 

Wow! That seems like a big tank, although I'm sure he would love the extra room! But do you have any idea why he seems so mad, do you think it's because we took out Bob and he might be happy if we put another pleco with him? I would hate to purchase another pleco and have to return it?

 

Wow! That seems like a big tank, although I'm sure he would love the extra room! But do you have any idea why he seems so mad, do you think it's because we took out Bob and he might be happy if we put another pleco with him? I would hate to purchase another pleco and have to return it?

Are we talking about a common pleco? Because that's a huge no. They can get a few feet long.

 

Well, we had one that got too big so we found it a new home, the last one was common, he was around 8" and we were going to need to get rid of him anyways because he was getting too big too. We need to find one that stays smaller. Seems like the pet store doesn't have too many different kinds though. Is it the bristlenose that stays small? We wouldnt mind getting another fish either but I'm not sure what kind would get along well with a red eared sunfish?

 

I just did some research for you. Looks like your red eared guy can get up to a little bit over 10 inches. 55 or 60 gallon is the minimum for keeping one sunfish. So I'd get a bigger tank and keep him alone, no other fish.

 

Interesting! So we have had him a little over 2 years, do you think he could still grow more?

 

If he's that small at that age, he's probably stunted. Which means he'll probably have a shorter lifespan.

 

Well, that doesn't sound good! He is a very loved pet around here!

 

Stunting is a pretty unfortunate thing, usually happens when people aren't aware of a fish's tank size requirements. I'm guessing that you got the fish small, so you thought he could live in a smaller tank. That's why we try to do research and plan things out before we pick out our fish, although it doesn't seem like you planned on getting him. Not accusing you of anything.

 

Yes, definitely did not plan on him. Lucky we were able to borrow a small tank from a friend until we purchased the big one a few months later. Like I said that is what the pet store told us to get? I had never even had a fish before Sunny. Its been a huge learning experience!

 

Yes, definitely did not plan on him. Lucky we were able to borrow a small tank from a friend until we purchased the big one a few months later. Like I said that is what the pet store told us to get? I had never even had a fish before Sunny. Its been a huge learning experience!

A sunfish is a cool first fish. Not common to keep them, they're even illegal to keep in some states.

 

Yes, that's what I heard, was surprised her teacher told her she could keep him?

 

So the behavior changed after the trip to the pet store. Did they put him in a community tank in the store? I am really thinking sick fish.
I know everyone things there fish has personality and can get mad. But it's not likely.

Not eating is a sign that something is wrong. Digestive disorder maybe? You might want to do some research on sunfish illness and see what the treatment is.... Good luck.

 

Well, yes, after we took out the pleco to take to the pet store. He got angry right after we fished out Bob with the net. That s why I wasn't thinking illness, because it was like a switch went off and hasn't switched back. He eats but not like before. Only a tiny bit at a time, while he is going crazy because I'm standing there! Poor guy, I know it's weird but I really think it has to do with him seeing Bob getting caught in the net and not coming back?!

 

Is Sunny alone in the tank now? If so that might be part of his problem.

 

Yes he is. Do you say that because maybe he is lonely? Do you think it would matter if we got another fish that wasn't Bob? Just having another fish or pleco might help?

 

Well It's just a thought but space is limited in there.

 

Yes, thank you for your thoughts. I can't believe the quick responses I have gotten from so many people. This is a great place to come for help.

 

Well pull up a chair and learn, that's what we do daily.

 

Yes, I am taking it all in!

 

What kind of sunfish is it? What's the temperature in the tank? Natives like it chilly

 

He is a red ear sunfish, and the tank says 75*

 

I've always been interested in keeping a pond fish in a tank, I'm glad to see it's feasible!