Lepomis punctatus (Valenciennes, 1831)
Spotted sunfish
photo by Burkhead, N.

Family:  Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainages from Cape Fear River in North Carolina to Nueces River in Texas, north in Mississippi River basin to central Illinois in the USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits heavily vegetated ponds, lakes, pools of creeks and small to medium rivers, and swamps (Ref. 205). Usually occurs over mud or sand. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Feeds on midge larvae, other immature insects, and microcrustaceans such as amphipods and cladocerans (Ref. 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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