Overview
This sunfish possesses a yellow belly that is sometimes an orange or a rusty color. It might have been better named the longear, as its opercle flap or ear is considerably longer than the opercle flap of the longear sunfish. In adults, the ear often reaches a length of one inch or more; it is narrow and usually not wider than the eye. The lower margin of the flap is usually pale. The redbreast is one of our larger sunfish, occasionally attaining weights of one pound or more.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Centrarchidae
- Genus
- Lepomis
- Species
- auritus
Habitat
The species prefers vegetated and rocky pools and lake margins for its habitat. The sunfish prefers structure around banks and overhanging branches that provide shade to provide food and protection.
Diet
These species (like other sunfish) feed on insects, snails, crayfish, and small fish.
Behavior
In typical sunfish fashion, the redbreast spawns in beds or colonies on sand or gravel where the water is one to three feet deep. After hatching, the young may remain schooled for several weeks before scattering.
Fishing
This is an excellent panfish and a scrappy fighter. It can be caught with baits or lures and it can even be taken at night.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.