Fish · GBIF taxon 2394503
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirusAlso known as Bream
Bluegill is a deep-bodied sunfish with a small mouth, dark ear flap, and often a blue sheen along the lower cheek. Males fan circular nests in shallow colonies and guard eggs and young.
Freshwater SunfishColonial NesterShallow Water
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Aquatic insects
- Zooplankton
- Small crustaceans
Predators
- Largemouth bass
- Herons
- Otters
ThreatsPollution, low oxygen, shoreline degradation, and invasive competitors
HabitatsLakes, ponds, reservoirs, wetlands, and slow rivers
Life spanCommonly 5 to 8 years; some exceed 10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCentrarchidae
- SpeciesLepomis macrochirus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Observe without wading through shallow nesting colonies.
Responsible observation
- Nests: Look for clusters of pale circular depressions in clear shallows.
- Markings: Check the dark ear flap behind a blue-green cheek.
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