The giant ocean sunfish is one of the most extraordinary creatures swimming in the world’s oceans. With its enormous flattened body, unusual fins, and surprisingly small mouth, this marine fish looks unlike almost any other species. Often called a mola, it can reach remarkable sizes and spends time both near the ocean surface and in … Read more
Pygmy sunfish are tiny North American freshwater fish admired for their remarkable colors and quiet behavior. Although they resemble miniature sunfish, they belong to the distinct genus Elassoma and require different aquarium care from familiar bluegills. Species such as the Gulf Coast pygmy sunfish and Everglades pygmy sunfish are especially interesting to aquarists who enjoy … Read more
The pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) is a colorful freshwater fish recognized by its deep body, bright orange belly, blue-green facial lines, and distinctive red-orange spot on the gill flap. Native to much of eastern and central North America, pumpkinseeds commonly inhabit lakes, ponds, quiet rivers, and vegetated shorelines. They are popular among anglers and can … Read more
A baby sunfish can refer to a young ocean sunfish (Mola mola) or a juvenile freshwater sunfish such as bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, or longear sunfish. These fish are very different despite sharing the same common name. Baby ocean sunfish begin life as extremely small, spiny larvae before growing into enormous adults, while freshwater … Read more
The longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) is one of North America’s most colorful freshwater sunfish. It is especially recognizable by its elongated black ear flap, blue-green facial markings, and bright orange belly, which becomes particularly vivid in breeding males. Longear sunfish commonly inhabit clear streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes where vegetation and rocky or sandy bottoms … Read more
Freshwater sunfish are colorful North American fishes best known for species such as bluegill, pumpkinseed, longear sunfish, green sunfish, and redear sunfish. Many are popular with anglers because they are widespread, relatively easy to catch, and excellent on light tackle. They also play important ecological roles as predators and prey in lakes, ponds, streams, and … Read more
The bluegill sunfish is one of North America’s most familiar freshwater fish, valued by anglers for its abundance, colorful appearance, and willingness to take many types of bait. Scientifically known as Lepomis macrochirus, bluegill belong to the freshwater sunfish family Centrarchidae. They inhabit ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving waters and feed mainly on insects and … Read more
The giant sunfish is one of the most extraordinary fish in the ocean, famous for its enormous size, flattened body, and unusual shortened tail. The name is often used for giant members of the genus Mola, particularly the bump-head sunfish, Mola alexandrini, while the familiar giant ocean sunfish may refer to Mola mola. These remarkable … Read more
The redear sunfish is a popular freshwater fish known for its strong body, colorful ear flap, and unusual appetite for snails and other hard-shelled prey. Often called the shellcracker, this species is commonly found in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow-moving waters across much of the United States. Anglers sometimes confuse redear sunfish with bluegill or … Read more
The green sunfish is a colorful freshwater fish found throughout much of North America. Known for its large mouth, blue-green markings, and aggressive feeding behavior, this sunfish often lives in ponds, creeks, rivers, and reservoirs. Anglers sometimes confuse it with bluegill, warmouth, or hybrid sunfish because of their similar body shapes. This guide explains green … Read more