Green Sunfish
(Lepomis cyanellus)
How can you tell a green sunfish apart from other sunfish?
The most distinguishing characteristic of a green sunfish is its mouth. A "greenie" has a much larger mouth than any other sunfish. Even though it has a larger mouth, it is usually smaller than other sunfish, including the bluegill. Hybridization with other sunfish is common, so identifying this fish is often challenging.
Where do green sunfish live?
Green sunfish are found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats where they can find weedy shorelines or rocky cover. Green sunfish are able to tolerate a wide range of conditions in temperature, turbidity and oxygen levels.
How do green sunfish raise their young?
Green sunfish have very similar reproductive habits as the bluegill. The males are the caretakers of the young. They "sweep" out nests in areas with gravel bottoms and plenty of sunlight. Once the eggs are laid, the male fans the eggs with his tail to promote oxygenation. They are very aggressive and will defend the nest before and after the eggs hatch. The fry (baby fish) are free swimming and on their own 6-7 days after the eggs are laid.
How long do green sunfish live?
Green sunfish live to between 4 and 6 years.
Do people fish for green sunfish?
People do catch green sunfish, but it is not as popular a game fish as the bluegill. They do not grow large enough to be desirable "pan-fish" and rarely exceed 6-7 inches in length.
The information above is common scientific knowledge. For a list of specific resources, visit the Animal FAQ Resources page.
