The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Redear Sunfish, Lepomis microlophus

 

Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Very deep, very compressed body
ï¿½	Black opercular spot with a red mark on the edge
ï¿½	Small, terminal mouth
ï¿½	Large eye
ï¿½	Tail fin lobes rounded
ï¿½	Pectoral fin long and pointed
ï¿½	Side of body silver to iridescent blue
ï¿½	Yellow-orange belly
ï¿½	Yellow or orange spots on side of body

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
ï¿½	Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 130-240 mm total length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Clear, vegetated ponds and lakes and pools in streams

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Introduced to the Atlantic slope and Big Sandy drainages
ï¿½	Stocked in farm ponds

Food Habits:  

ï¿½	Insects, snails, mussels, and fish

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature at age 1 or 2 
ï¿½	Spawning occurs spring to mid-summer 
ï¿½	Nest in colonies near vegetation in shallow water
ï¿½	Fecundity is 15,001-30,144 eggs per female per year
ï¿½	Hybridizes with other sunfish 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Popular sport fish

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):