Lepomis gulosus
(Cuvier 1829)
Family Centrarchidae
The warmouth is a member of the sunfish family. It has a relatively thick body compared to other sunfishes, and dark brown to red lines radiate posteriorly from the often red eye. This species has a large mouth with upper jaw that extends beyond pupil of eye. Warmouths can be found in lakes, ponds, swamps and pools of creeks and small to large rivers. These fish are usually found near vegetation or woody debris.
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, the Tolomato or Matanzas River, St. John’s River and the St. Mary’s River