Lepomis auritus
(Linnaeus 1758)
Family Centrarchidae
The redbreast sunfish is a member of the sunfish family. This species has a long, narrow black ear flap without a white posterior margin, and wavy blue lines on the cheek and gill cover. The fins are clear to dusky orange, and there is a large mouth with the upper jaw extending under the front of the eye. Large males have a bright red-orange breast and belly. Redbreast sunfish can be found in pools and creeks of small to medium rivers and vegetated lakes.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central and Peninsula drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, Ochlockonee River, minor Gulf tributaries, Suwannee River, Withlacoochee River, Tampa Bay, Lake Okeechobee, Indian River, the Tolomato or Matanzas River, St. John’s River and the St. Mary’s River