Will be adding info here.

Form EFish

Pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus



Physical Description:
� Deep, very compressed body
� Black opercular spot with an orange mark on the margin
� Small, terminal mouth
� Large eye
� Tail fin lobes rounded
� Pectoral fin long and pointed
� Blue, yellow or orange spotted body
� Yellow-orange belly

Similar species:
� Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
� Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus)

Mean body size:
� Adults are 70-160 mm total length

Habitat:
� Vegetated pools in creeks and rivers, and ponds and reservoirs

Distribution in VA:
� Atlantic slope drainages of Virginia
� Introduced to the New, Pee Dee, and Tennessee drainages

Food Habits:
� Insects, snails, clams, fish, and plants

Reproductive Habits:
� Mature in 1-3 years
� Spawning occurs early May to August
� Nest in colonies on sand and small gravel in open shallow areas
� Fecundity is 1,034-2,436 eggs per female per year
� Hybridizes with many other sunfish species

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
� Abundant in Virginia

References:

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.



Last edited by ewest; 03/01/16 10:38 AM.