Green sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
- Freshwater
- Least concern
Max length12.25 in
Common length7.75 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight2 lb 2 oz
Max age9 years
Water typeFreshwater
Water temperature64 - 90 °F
PH range7.0 - 7.5
Fish info
Short description
The green sunfish is blue-green in colour on its back and sides with yellow-flecked bony-ridged scales, as well as yellow colouration on the ventral sides. Blue mottlings and streaks are present on the side of the head. They also have a dark spot located near the back end of the dorsal fin, the bases of the anal fins and the ear plate. Faint vertical bars are apparent on the sides. It has a relatively big mouth and long snout that extends to beneath the middle of the eye. The green sunfish has a heavy black bass-like body shape. Some scales have turquoise spots. Pelvic fins in breeding males are white or pink, and the tail and anal and dorsal fins are tipped with white or salmon-pink. It has a long, dark ear flap and rounded pectoral fins.
Habitat
The species prefers areas in sluggish backwaters, lakes, and ponds with gravel, sand, or bedrock bottoms. They also can be found in very muddy waters and are able to tolerate poor water conditions. Green sunfish tend to spend their time hiding around rocks, submerged logs, plants, and other things that provide cover.
Distribution
North America: Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins from New York and from Ontario in Canada to Minnesota and south Dakota, and south to the Gulf of Mexico; from Escambia River in Florida, and Mobile Bay in Georgia and Alabama to the Rio Grande in Texas, USA. Also northern Mexico.
Behaviour
They are very territorial and will fight to defend their space. They are known to chase after fish much larger than themselves while protecting their territory. Any fish small enough to fit in the mouth of a green sunfish should and will be considered food. Their omnivorous diet can include aquatic insects and larvae, insects that fall into the water, crayfish, snails, other molluscs, turtle food, frogs, some small fish, fish eggs, bryozoans, zooplankton, other small invertebrates, and sometimes plant material. When they do spawn, the males create nests in shallow water by clearing depressions in the bottom, often near a type of shelter such as rocks or submerged logs.
Edibility
Green Sunfish are good to eat. Although they are small in size and not often targeted by anglers for food, the meat is white, flaky, and mild flavoured.
Lure suggestion
Use a bobber rig and size 10 or 12 hooks. Green sunfish also readily take small artificial lures such as a jig or tiny spinner, and small wet or dry flies. Good bait: worms, mealworms, crickets, pieces of nightcrawler, or other natural bait.
Similar species
Other similar species
Other sunfish