Lepomis symmetricus Forbes, 1883
Bantam sunfish
Lepomis symmetricus
photo by Tumlison, R.

Family:  Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Max. size:  9 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 3 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occur in swamps and mud-bottomed and heavily vegetated ponds, lakes and sloughs (Ref. 5723, 10294). Young feed primarily on small crustaceans (ostracods, amphipods, etc.), midge larvae, and small dragonfly nymphs; adults' diet is similar but also contain snails, aquatic hemipterans and terrestrial insects (Ref. 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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