Green Sunfish
Lepomis
cyanellus
Description
To 10" (25 cm); 2 1/4 lbs (1 kg).
Robust, moderately elongate, depth less than distance from snout tip
to dorsal fin origin; yellowish olive, sides sometimes with dusky
bars, belly pale olive, median fins olive to dusky, edges whitish to
light orange. Head broad; preopercular flap not extended; mouth
extends to middle of eye. Pectoral fin short, rounded; posterior
base of second dorsal and anal fins often with black blotch. Lateral
line complete, 40-52 scales.
Habitat
Clear to turbid water with little or no
current in smaller streams, swamps, and ponds.
Range
Native to s. Great Lakes, Mississippi River
basin south to Texas; Alabama west to New Mexico; widely introduced
in United States and n. Mexico.
Discussion
The Green Sunfish, one of the most
common sunfishes, is tolerant of a wide range of environmental
conditions.
