About Lepomis microlophus (Günther, 1859)
Redear sunfish generally resemble bluegill, differing mainly in coloration and a somewhat larger maximum size. Redear sunfish also have faint vertical bars that run downwards from their dorsal fin. They are dark-colored on their dorsal (upper) side, and yellow-green on their ventral (lower) side. Unlike bluegill, male redear sunfish have a cherry-red edge on their operculum (gill cover); females have orange coloration in this same area. Adult redear sunfish are typically between 20 and 24 cm (7.9 and 9.4 in) in length. The maximum recorded length for the species is 43.2 cm (17.0 in), compared to a maximum length of about 40 cm (16 in) for bluegill. On average, redear sunfish reach about 0.45 kg (0.99 lb), which is also larger than the average bluegill. Redear sunfish are native to the southeastern United States. Their native range extends from North Carolina to Florida, west to southern Illinois and Missouri, and south to the Rio Grande drainage in Texas. However, this fish has been widely introduced to many other locations, including the U.S. states of Ohio and Arizona. In the wild, redear sunfish live in warm, quiet waters including lakes, ponds, streams, and reservoirs. They prefer areas near logs and vegetation, and tend to gather in groups around these features. This sunfish is also found in many freshwater marsh wetlands. During the spawning season, males gather and build nests close together in breeding colonies. Females then visit these colonies to lay their eggs. Redear sunfish may occasionally hybridize with other species of sunfish.
