Scientific name Lepomis Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata | |
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Lower classifications Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Green sunfish, Longear sunfish, Redear sunfish | ||
Northern sunfish lepomis peltastes
Lepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family, Centrarchidae, in the order Perciformes. Perhaps the most recognizable species of this genus is the bluegill.
Contents
- Northern sunfish lepomis peltastes
- Shoal of pumpkinseed fish lepomis gibbosus the lighter side of underwater videos
- Fossil record
- Species
- References
Some Lepomis species can grow to a maximum overall length of 41 cm (16 in), though most average around 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in). They are widely distributed throughout the lakes and rivers of the United States and Canada, and several species have been transplanted and flourished around the world, even becoming pests. Trade in some Lepomis species is prohibited in Germany for this reason. Many are sought by anglers as panfish, and large numbers are bred to stock lakes, rivers, and tributaries.
Lepomis species are sometimes referred to as bream, but the term more properly refers to the similar-looking but unrelated European cypriniform fish of genus Abramis.
The generic name Lepomis derives from the Greek λεπίς (scale) and πώμα (cover, plug, operculum).
Shoal of pumpkinseed fish lepomis gibbosus the lighter side of underwater videos
Fossil record
The Red-ear Sunfish is the first-known species of Centrarchidae based on fossil records, as old as 13.6 million years, dating back to the Middle Miocene.
Species
There are currently 13 recognized species in this genus:
