Warmouth

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Flatfishes, sunfishes, and perchlike fishes

Warmouth
Lepomis gulosus

Description

To 10" (25 cm); 2 1/4 lbs (1 kg). Oblong, robust; back and median fins dark olive-brown with dusky mottlings, sides lighter with scattered dusky spots, belly yellowish. Head large, wide; opercular flap not extended; teeth on tongue; mouth extends past middle of reddish eye, which has radiating dusky lines, 4-5 running to edge of opercle; dark spot on upper part of opercle. Pectoral fin short, rounded; 9-11 dorsal fin spines; 3 anal fin spines. Lateral line complete, 36-44 scales.

Habitat

Ponds, swamps, lakes, and sluggish streams with vegetation or debris.

Range

From Maryland, s. Michigan, and s. Wisconsin south to Florida, west to Texas and New Mexico.

Discussion

The Warmouth spends much of its time in the cover of dense vegetation. It feeds on small fishes, crayfishes, and aquatic insects. During the late spring and summer, it nests in shallow water. Due to its small size, it is generally not very important as a game fish.