Bluegill
ExploreFish
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
The Bluegill is a cheerful little fish with a round shape and bright colors. They are friendly and often seen in ponds and lakes!
Habitat: Ponds and lakes
Appearance
The Bluegill has a dark olive-green back that fades into a yellowish belly, often with 6-8 dusky vertical bars on its sides. Its most distinct feature is a prominent black 'ear flap' on the gill cover, which helps differentiate it from other sunfish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPerciformesFamilyCentrarchidaeGenusLepomis
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Bluegills can change the brightness of their stripes to show off or hide from danger!
Male Bluegills are super dads, guarding their eggs fiercely until they hatch!
Their 'ear flap' is actually part of its gill cover and helps protect its delicate gills!
They sometimes hybridize with other sunfish, creating unique fish with mixed traits!
Special abilities
Ability
Sharp Sight
Bluegill has keen vision that helps them spot tiny insects and aquatic prey, even in murky waters.
Ability
Master Builder
Bluegill can dig saucer-shaped nests on lake bottoms to protect their precious eggs and young.
Ability
Taste Buds Everywhere
Bluegill has taste buds all over its mouth, helping it find yummy food even in the dark.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-25 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Swim Speed
- 5 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 8 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
Bluegills munch on tiny critters, plants, and even fish eggs.
Age differences: Young Bluegills eat mostly zooplankton, while adults add bigger insects and small fish.
Primary Foods
- aquatic insects
- small crustaceans
- snails
- fish eggs
- algae
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
a top fish predator.
eaten by
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
wades in shallows to spear.
hunts
Phantom Midge
Chaoborus americanus
larvae are a favorite meal.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
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.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
BreamSunfish
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Bluegill?
10-25 cm
How much does Bluegill weigh?
0.1-1.5 kg
How long does Bluegill live?
5-10 years
What does Bluegill eat?
Bluegills munch on tiny critters, plants, and even fish eggs.
How fast can Bluegill swim?
5 km/h
Where is Bluegill usually found?
Ponds and lakes
How does Bluegill hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Bluegill go?
8 m
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park46 sightings12 species
Tennessee, US
Pickwick Landing State Park
You might spot American Coot, Crane-Fly Orchid, and Pied-Billed Grebe.
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Zoo6 sightings6 species
Louisiana, US
Baton Rouge Zoo
You might spot Ringed Teal, Kirk's Dik-Dik, and Chinchilla Lanigera.
View guide →
Park21 sightings6 species
Florida, US
George Barker Park
You might spot Brown Anole, Feather Mosses, and Carolina Willow.
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Park11 sightings4 species
Florida, US
Clear Lake Park
You might spot Oaks, Baldcypresses, and Virginia Creeper.
View guide →
