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Redear Sunfish(Lepomis microlophus) |
The redear sunfish is commonly referred to a "sunny" or "shellcracker." This species of sunfish derived its name from the red (male) or orange (female) spot at the rear of the opercular flap. Its back is light green to brown with scattered darker spots, sides are light gray to silver and has a light gray dorsal fin with 9 to 11 spines. Lower surfaces of the head and venter are light yellow to white. The sides of the head are mottled with brown to dark orange spots. The anal fin is light yellow to pale with 12 to 14 rays. With 13 to 14 rays, the long and pointed pectoral fin extends past the nostril when pushed forward. The tail is slightly forked.
Redear sunfish occur in moderate to large streams, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, swamps and other standing-water habitats. Like other species of their kind, shellcrackers prefer warm non-turbulent waters that have plenty of structure. They are native to the eastern half of the United States, from South Carolina to Texas in the south and from southern Illinois east to the Atlantic Coast in the north. They have been introduced to waters in many other western states including New Mexico and California, as well as to Africa and Latin America.
The shellcracker has a main diet consisting of benthic aquatic insect larvae and mollusks. Unbelievably, this fish can crack mollusk shells (hence the name) by using extensive molar surfaces and its coordinated musculature.
Spawning occurs from late April to early June. Males construct and defend nests during spawning and until the larvae hatch.
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