Lepomis megalotis
(Rafinesque 1820)
Family Centrarchidae
The longear sunfish is part of the sunfish family. It has a white margin around a long black ear flap and wavy blue lines on the cheek and gill cover. Breeding males have an orange and blue body, a red eye and orange to red dorsal, caudal and anal fins. This species has a short and rounded pectoral fin. Longear sunfish can be found in pools and runs of headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers, and are most often found near vegetation or woody debris.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River, Chochtawhatchee River, Econfina Creek and the Apalachicola River