Lepomis microlophus
(Günther 1859)
Family Centrarchidae
The redear sunfish is a member of the sunfish family. It has a deep and compressed silver-green body with dark gray bars on the side and a bright red margin on the black ear flap. This species has a long and pointed pectoral fin that extends long past the eye when bent forward. Redear sunfish can be found in swamps, lakes, pond and pools of small to medium rivers.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central and Peninsula drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, Ochlockonee River, minor Gulf tributaries, Suwannee River, Withlacoochee River, Tampa Bay, the Myakka or Peace River, Lake Okeechobee, Caloosahatchee River, the Everglades, Indian River, St. John’s River and the St. Mary’s River