Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) is a freshwater species recorded in the United States.
Scientific name: Lepomis microlophus · Water: Freshwater
Size: up to 43.2 cm
The redear sunfish is a centrarchid that inhabits ponds, swamps and lakes and the vegetated pools, usually with mud or sand bottoms, of small to medium rivers, and it also occurs in warm, clear, quiet waters rich in vegetation and snags. It has a preference for mollusks as food and so has potential for the control of the snail vectors of schistosomiasis, and it is oviparous. Maximum length is about 43.2 cm total length, commonly about 19.2 cm, and it can live seven years. It is of potential interest to fisheries and is a gamefish. Fishing vulnerability is low to moderate at 31 of 100 and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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