The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Green Sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus

 

Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Deep, compressed body
ï¿½	Black opercular spot with a pale margin
ï¿½	Very large, terminal mouth
ï¿½	Large eye
ï¿½	Tail fin lobes rounded
ï¿½	Pectoral fin rounded
ï¿½	Dark body with iridescent blue stripes
ï¿½	Posterior base of dorsal fin with black spot

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
ï¿½	Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 70-180 mm total length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Slow pools, moderate-gradient streams and rivers

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Tennessee, Big Sandy, and New drainages 
ï¿½	Introduced to the Atlantic slope drainages

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Insects and fish 

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature at age 1 or 3 
ï¿½	Spawning occurs late May through July 
ï¿½	Males build nests around vegetation
ï¿½	Fecundity is 2,000-10,000 eggs per female per year
ï¿½	Hybridizes with many other sunfish species

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Abundant in Virginia  

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):