freshwater
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Stocky, compressed sunfish body with a large mouth and a more elongated shape than most bluegills. Coloration is dark green to olive or bluish with emerald or light blue iridescent spots and streaks on the head. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often edged with white, orange, or yellow.
- Habitat
- Native to central and eastern North America.…
- Size & weight
- Typically 3 to 7 inches in length. Maximum recorded size…
- Diet
- Opportunistic carnivore. Feeds on aquatic insects, small…
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Physical characteristics
Stocky, compressed sunfish body with a large mouth and a more elongated shape than most bluegills. Coloration is dark green to olive or bluish with emerald or light blue iridescent spots and streaks on the head. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often edged with white, orange, or yellow.
Habitat & distribution
Native to central and eastern North America. Found in slow-moving streams, lakes, and ponds with plenty of vegetation or brush. They are highly adaptable and can survive in poor water quality and low oxygen environments.
Behavior
Solitary and highly territorial, especially during the breeding season. They are diurnal and prefer to hide near cover like submerged logs or weed beds to ambush prey.
Diet
Opportunistic carnivore. Feeds on aquatic insects, small crayfish, snails, and small fish. They are aggressive feeders despite their small size.
Reproduction
Males build circular nests in shallow water on sand or gravel. They are colonial nesters. Females can lay several thousand eggs which the male guards aggressively until they hatch.
Ecological role
Apex predator in very small water bodies, but a mid-level predator in larger ecosystems. They help control insect populations and provide food for larger fish and piscivorous birds.
Similar species
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) has a smaller mouth and a circular black ear flap; Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) has teeth on its tongue and lacks the bright fin margins; Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) has 6 anal spines while Green Sunfish have 3.
Identification tips
Look for the unusually large mouth for a sunfish (the jaw extends to the middle of the eye), the turquoise/blue streaks on the face, and the distinct orange or white fringe on the fins.
Interesting facts
Green sunfish are known for their extreme aggression and will often attack lures or fingers much larger than themselves. They hybridize very easily with other members of the Lepomis genus, such as bluegills.