The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Bluespotted Sunfish, Enneacanthus gloriosus

 
Physical Description: 
·	Very compressed, deep body
·	Terminal mouth
·	Rounded pectoral fin
·	Rounded tail fin
·	Medium-sized eye
·	Black opercular spot with blue crescent mark
·	Brown-red anal fin
·	Dorsal, anal, and tail fins dark with whitish spots
·	Side of body dark-colored with gold, silver, green, or blue spots on side
·	Alarmed fish and breeding males becomes darker colored and spots glow

Similar species: 
·	Banded sunfish (Enneacanthus obesus) 

Mean body size:
·	Adults are 40-70 mm standard length 

Habitat:
·	Swamps, ponds, and pools in streams and rivers
·	Found in vegetation and sometimes slightly brackish waters

Distribution in VA:
·	Atlantic slope drainages and Delmarva Peninsula

Food Habits:  
·	Insects and other invertebrates 

Reproductive Habits: 
·	Females mature in 2 years
·	Spawning occurs May to September 
·	Nests in shallow areas in either a depression in the sand, or under aquatic plants, 
·	Fecundity is about 600 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
·	Good aquarium 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):