Lepomis microlophus (Günther, 1859)
Redear sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Max. size:  43.2 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 220.0 g; max. reported age: 7 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Savannah River in South Carolina to Nueces River in Texas, north in Mississippi River basin to southern Indiana and Illinois in the USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits ponds, swamps, lakes; and vegetated pools, usually with mud or sand bottoms, of small to medium rivers. Also occurs in warm, clear and quiet waters rich in vegetation and snags. Has a preference for mollusks as food thus has potential for the control of snail vectors of schistosomiasis (Ref. 1739, 10294). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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