The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Warmouth, Lepomis gulosus

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Deep, compressed body
ï¿½	Black opercular spot
ï¿½	Large, terminal mouth
ï¿½	Large eye
ï¿½	Tail fin lobes rounded
ï¿½	Pectoral fin rounded
ï¿½	Dark stripes on cheek
ï¿½	Dark mottling on body
ï¿½	Some mottling on fins

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis)
ï¿½	Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 85-200 mm total length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Found in pools of low gradient streams and in ponds and lakes

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Roanoke, Chowan, and James drainages and the Dismal Swamp 
ï¿½	Introduced to the York, Rappahannock, Potomac, New, and Tennessee drainages

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Plankton and insects when young
ï¿½	Adults eat insects, snails, crayfish, and fish 

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature at age 1 or 2 
ï¿½	Spawning occurs mid-spring through summer      
ï¿½	Males build nests in cover
ï¿½	Fecundity is 4,500-63,200 eggs per female per year

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Widely stocked 

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):