TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
GENUS: Lepomis sp.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Shape is perch like. In direct sunlight sunfish have a brilliant sheen. A black extension of the upper gill cover is the “ear.” Spinous dorsal fins. Length to 24 cm (9.5 inches) and a maximum weight of 1.7 pounds.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: North America from northeastern Mexico to the north to the Great Lakes in shallow water, with dense vegetation in small lakes, ponds and slow-moving rivers and streams
DIET IN THE WILD: Carnivorous, tend to be generalists: aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans and small fishes.
REPRODUCTION: Male makes the nest and defends it.
REMARKS: A popular game fish with anglers.
Swamp SW02 and Water planet Feeding Cluster WP31
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Ron's Critter of the Day 