Stats

Lifespan: 5-8 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: School
Biome: Freshwater lake
Range: North America
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Spines
Status: Common

About

The bluegill is North America's most widespread freshwater sunfish, instantly recognized by the vivid cobalt-blue sheen on its gill cover and the distinctive black earflap at the rear of the operculum. During spawning season, males fan out circular gravel nests in the shallows and develop a bright orange-yellow flush across the belly to attract mates.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling fry
A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Centrarchiformes
Family: Centrarchidae
Genus: Lepomis
Species: Lepomis macrochirus