| Family: |
Centrarchidae (Sunfishes) |
| Max. size: |
49 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,720.0 g; max. reported age: 15 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7.5; depth range - 0 m |
| Distribution: |
North America: The native range is difficult to determine due to its widespread introduction throughout the USA but it is presumably Atlantic Slope from Virginia to Florida, Gulf Slope west to Texas in the USA, St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba in Canada south to the Gulf in the USA. |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Inhabits lakes, ponds, sloughs, and backwaters and pools of streams (Ref. 1998, 10294). Usually occurs among vegetation over mud or sand, most common in clear water (Ref. 86798). Forms schools (Ref. 1998). Feeds early in the morning, from midnight to 2 am (Ref. 1998). Individuals up to 16 cm feed on planktonic crustaceans and free-swimming, nocturnal, and dipterous larvae; larger individuals feed on small fishes (Ref. 1998, 10294). May be preyed upon by other fishes (Ref. 1998). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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