Bluegill Sunfish
(Lepomis macrochirus)
Taxonomy
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Centrarchidae
Genus Lepomis
Species macrochirus
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Centrarchidae
Genus Lepomis
Species macrochirus
Identifying Characteristics
(Look at Figure 1 for key terms)
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Life history
The bluegill spawns in the shallows in the late spring or early summer when the water temperature reaches 65° F. Males build nesting colonies in gravel, sand or mud and will guard the eggs and newly hatched fry until they reach the swimming stage. Females (size dependent) can produce anywhere from 1,000 to 100,000 eggs. Sexual maturity occurs at 2 to 3 years for males and 3 to 4 years for females. The average adult bluegill is 6 to 8 inches long, although some reach 10 inches. Average life-span of these fish is 5 to 6 years. |
Video of Bluegill protecting its nest
(The first half of the video is actually a Pumpkinseed sunfish. The Bluegill part of the video starts at about 1:40) |
Geographic Range
Bluegill are native to Eastern and Central North America, including the lower Great Lakes. They live in streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds; and favor warmer waters that range from 64° to 70° F. These fish prefer places with plenty of cover such as weed beds, submerged logs, or drop-offs. They stay in relatively shallow water but as temperatures rise in the summer, large bluegills will head for deeper water. They tend to be found in schools with other fish, ranging from 10-20 different fish, including other sunfish, crappies, pumpkinseeds, and smallmouth bass.
Bluegill are important to aquatic communities for their superior ability to limit insect and crustacean populations.
Bluegill are native to Eastern and Central North America, including the lower Great Lakes. They live in streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds; and favor warmer waters that range from 64° to 70° F. These fish prefer places with plenty of cover such as weed beds, submerged logs, or drop-offs. They stay in relatively shallow water but as temperatures rise in the summer, large bluegills will head for deeper water. They tend to be found in schools with other fish, ranging from 10-20 different fish, including other sunfish, crappies, pumpkinseeds, and smallmouth bass.
Bluegill are important to aquatic communities for their superior ability to limit insect and crustacean populations.
Diet
The bluegill feeds off of the surface of the water, the mid waters, and the bottom, where it can be a serious competitor with other bottom feeding fish. Bluegills are carnivores, primarily eating invertebrates such as snails, worms, shrimp, aquatic insects, small crayfish, and zooplankton. They can also consume small fish such as minnows. Bluegills eat just about any little animal that will fit into their small mouths, especially aquatic (water) insects and terrestrial (land) insects that fall in the water. Young fry eat algae and zooplankton. Young bluegill eat worms and zooplankton, staying under cover while adults feed more in the open. As they grow larger, bluegills add more variety (i.e. small fish, aquatic insects and plant matter) to their diet.
(Look at video below to see bluegill feeding)
The bluegill feeds off of the surface of the water, the mid waters, and the bottom, where it can be a serious competitor with other bottom feeding fish. Bluegills are carnivores, primarily eating invertebrates such as snails, worms, shrimp, aquatic insects, small crayfish, and zooplankton. They can also consume small fish such as minnows. Bluegills eat just about any little animal that will fit into their small mouths, especially aquatic (water) insects and terrestrial (land) insects that fall in the water. Young fry eat algae and zooplankton. Young bluegill eat worms and zooplankton, staying under cover while adults feed more in the open. As they grow larger, bluegills add more variety (i.e. small fish, aquatic insects and plant matter) to their diet.
(Look at video below to see bluegill feeding)
Conservation Status
Bluegill have no special status on the Federal or IUCN Conservation list.
Bluegill have no special status on the Federal or IUCN Conservation list.
Interesting Facts
- The Bluegill Sunfish is actually the state fish of Illinois!
- Bluegill are considered a sport fish in many states like Illinois.
- Bluegill are more active during the dawn.
- Want to learn more in depth about the Bluegill? Click the link below: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/species/bluegill.pdf
Want to have a Bluegill at home?
(Look below for a video on how to take care of your bluegill)
(Look below for a video on how to take care of your bluegill)
Sources:
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168141
http://www.fishesoftexas.org/taxon/lepomis-macrochirus/
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958-45644--,00.html
http://extremephillyfishing.blogspot.com/2013/06/be-sunfish-expert-simple-guide-for.html
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958-45644--,00.html
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/bluegill.htm
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168141
http://www.fishesoftexas.org/taxon/lepomis-macrochirus/
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958-45644--,00.html
http://extremephillyfishing.blogspot.com/2013/06/be-sunfish-expert-simple-guide-for.html
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958-45644--,00.html
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/bluegill.htm