Green Sunfish
ExploreFish
Green Sunfish
lepomis cyanellus
The Green Sunfish is a colorful fish that loves to swim in ponds and lakes! With its bright green and blue colors, it looks like a little treasure under the water.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers
Appearance
The Green Sunfish has an olive-green body with a blue or purplish sheen, often showing faint vertical bars. It features a large mouth, distinctive red-orange fin edges, and a prominent black spot with a light rim on its gill cover.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPerciformesFamilyCentrarchidaeGenusLepomis
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A male Green Sunfish guards its nest and even fans the eggs with his fins.
Despite their name, their scales often shimmer more blue than green!
These fish are expert nest builders, creating circular depressions in soft river bottoms.
They can make grunting sounds using special teeth in their throat!
Special abilities
Ability
Camouflage Master
Green Sunfish can slightly change skin color to blend with murky or clear water because of specialized pigment cells.
Ability
Super Senser
Green Sunfish has a lateral line system that helps them detect vibrations from prey or predators, even in darkness.
Ability
Mouth of Marvel
Green Sunfish can open their large mouth very wide to swallow surprisingly big prey whole, making them effective predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-20 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Swim Speed
- 5 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 5 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
Eats lots of different small critters, from insects to tiny fish, staying healthy!
Age differences: Young sunfish eat smaller invertebrates; adults consume larger prey including small fish and crayfish.
Primary Foods
- insects
- crayfish
- small fish
- tadpoles
- snails
Foraging Methods
- Ambush
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Common prey for larger predatory fish.
eaten by
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Hunted by wading birds in shallow areas.
eats
Northern Crayfish
Orconectes virilis
Preys on smaller crustaceans like crayfish.
eats
Bloodworm midge larva
Chironomus plumosus
Feeds on insect larvae found in sediment.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Green FishLepomis Sunfish
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Green Sunfish?
10-20 cm
How much does Green Sunfish weigh?
0.1-0.3 kg
How long does Green Sunfish live?
5-8 years
What does Green Sunfish eat?
Eats lots of different small critters, from insects to tiny fish, staying healthy!
How fast can Green Sunfish swim?
5 km/h
Where is Green Sunfish usually found?
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers
How does Green Sunfish hunt?
Ambush and Foraging
How deep can Green Sunfish go?
5 m
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park119 sightings15 species
Virginia, US
Eakin Community Park
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Park25 sightings10 species
Virginia, US
Long Branch Stream Valley Park
You might spot Creek Chub, Green Sunfish, and Northern Cardinal.
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Park31 sightings9 species
Virginia, US
Olde Forge Park
You might spot Creek Chub, Asian Jumpseed, and Northern Cardinal.
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