| Family: |
Centrarchidae (Sunfishes) |
| Max. size: |
40 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 630.0 g; max. reported age: 12 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15; depth range 0 - 41 m, potamodromous |
| Distribution: |
North America: New Brunswick in Canada south to Savannah River in Georgia, USA; Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and upper Mississippi River basins from Quebec west to southeastern Manitoba and North Dakota, and south to north Kentucky and Missouri, USA. Introduced to Pacific drainages from British Columbia to California. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-11; Vertebrae: 28-30 |
| Biology: |
Inhabits vegetated lakes and ponds, as well as quiet pools of creeks and small rivers (Ref. 86798). Feeds on small fishes and other vertebrates (Ref. 1998), as well as fish eggs (Ref. 2058). Adtults rarely form schools but occur in pairs or loose aggregations of three to four individuals; young individuals aggregate in fairly large schools (Ref. 120693). An introduced species in Europe which avoids swift waters and occurs in estuaries with a salinity up to 18.2 ppt (Ref. 59043). Reported in Europe to prey on a wide variety of invertebrates (Ref. 59043). Considered undesirable catch (Ref. 30578). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
potential pest |
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