Longear sunfish

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Longear sunfish
Lepomis megalotis2.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Centrarchiformes
Family: Centrarchidae
Genus: Lepomis
Species:
L. megalotis
Binomial name
Lepomis megalotis
(Rafinesque, 1820)
Lepomis megalotis range map.png
Synonyms [2]

Icthelis megalotisRafinesque, 1820

Male longear sunfish Longear sunfish.jpg
Male longear sunfish

The longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) is a freshwater fish in the sunfish family, Centrarchidae, of order Centrarchiformes. It is native to the area of eastern North America stretching from the Great Lakes down to northeastern Mexico. [3] The longear sunfish reaches a maximum recorded length of about 24 cm (9.4 in), with a maximum recorded weight of 790 g (1.74 lb). [4] Most do not live beyond six years. [4] The longear sunfish is quite colorful, with an olive to rusty-brown back, bright orange belly and vermiculate blue-green bars on the sides of its head, the latter two features most pronounced in breeding males. A unique characteristic of longear sunfish is their elongated operculum flap, giving an appearance of a "long ear". It is black and often has a white margin. The pectoral fin is relatively short and would not reach the snout if it were reflected anteriorly. In breeding males, iridescent blue spots develop on the dorsum and sides and the fin membranes turn orange in all fins except the ventral ones, which may be blue to black, [4] and the pectoral ones. [4] [5] [6] Lepomis megalotis can be distinguished from closely related dollar sunfish L. marginatus by a greater number of cheek scale rows, by having one to two additional pectoral fin rays and by the slope of the opercular flap, which is distinctly upward in L. marginatus but is closer to horizontal in males of L. megalotis, although female and subadult L. megalotis may have upward slanting opercular flaps. [4]

Contents

The species prefers densely vegetated, shallow waters in lakes, ponds, and sluggish streams. Its diet can include insects, aquatic invertebrates, and small fish. Avoiding strong currents, longear sunfish are usually present in small to moderate flowing streams, rivers, and reservoirs. [7] The genus Lepomis has a well-characterized mating behavior where parental care is done by the male. The male makes and defends the nest, and fans the eggs to remove silt and other debris until the larvae hatch. Some longear females produce 4,000 eggs. [8] They spawn in groups but do not form large colonies.

Longear sunfish are better at getting food in moving waters than still waters; this may explain why they are more abundant in streams than lakes. For the most part, longear sunfish are active during the day and inactive at night. [8] There are very few conservation acts currently being performed in order to maintain the distribution and abundance of this species. [9]

Geographic distribution

Longear sunfish are found in North America, primarily in the Mississippi and Great Lakes regions. [10] Longear sunfish are mostly found in freshwater areas west of the Appalachian Mountains. [11] Some Lepomis populations are located as far north and west as southern Quebec and Minnesota. The species has also been spotted in places as far south and west as central Mexico and New Mexico. [4] [3] The species has been introduced to stream ecosystems along the eastern coast of the United States. The distribution of the longear sunfish throughout North America has not been affected since the species has been followed. This may be due to the species' ability to travel throughout large bodies of water, thus avoiding dams and man-made interferences along smaller streams. They are also able to occupy different body of water types, thus making them more resilient to a decrease in their range distribution.

Ecology

Longear sunfish from Lake Glendale, southern Illinois Longear sunfish from Lake Glendale, southern Illinois.jpg
Longear sunfish from Lake Glendale, southern Illinois
Longear sunfish from the Coosa River, Alabama LongEaredSunfish.jpg
Longear sunfish from the Coosa River, Alabama

Longear sunfish feed more extensively near the surface of the water than other sunfish species. Lepomis megalotis is mostly a carnivorous fish that eats aquatic insects, small crustaceans, fish eggs, young bass, and even young sunfish. [7] They have also been observed eating dragonflies and other insects which travel over the surface of the water. Other observed prey have been detritus, gnat larvae, snails, day flies and leeches. [7] The diets of adult longear (longer than 102 mm) are composed of terrestrial insects (37%), fish (31%), aquatic insects (21%), and fish eggs (7%). [4] Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and wading birds are all natural predators to the longear sunfish. [12] Smaller species of longear can be preyed on by larger sunfish populations. Sunfish are an important link in the food chain. They act as both predator and prey within their ecosystems. Other sunfish species and larger predatory fishes compete with the longear for food and resources.

Longear sunfish, like additional members of the family Centrarchidae, are freshwater fish. They prefer streams with a firm clay bottom or gravel with clear waters and they typically stay nearby aquatic vegetation. [7] Although more abundant near the sources of streams, sunfish can be found in water sources of all sizes and are also found in lakes. Longear sunfish usually reside in shallower, warmer headwaters of streams with a steady flow. They spend most of their time near aquatic vegetation, or other forms of cover such as roots, brush piles, and undercut banks. This allows for them to hide from potential predators. Sunfish species are especially intolerant to turbid waters. [12] Human-induced changes to stream ecosystems could potentially disrupt the sunfish distribution. Destruction of aquatic vegetation from human runoff could destroy aquatic plants that are essential for the protection and cover of this species against predators. Chemical runoff into large rivers could also disturb the pH of the longear's natural ecosystem.

Life history

Longear sunfish tend to breed during the late spring and early summer (late May to late August). [12] During breeding seasons they are generally found in shallower, warmer waters near the sources of streams which have pools. Like most other members of Lepomis, longear sunfish are colonial nesters. [13] Male longear sunfish build the nests without assistance from the females. Preferred substrate for nesting is gravel, if available, but they will build in sand or hard mud if necessary. A male longear will guard the nest territory during all phases of reproduction. The clutch size can be anywhere from 140 to 2800 eggs per reproductive cycle. [14] After hatching, it only takes the longear sunfish 2–3 years to reach sexual maturity. The average life-span of the Lepomis megalotis in the wild is usually 4–6 years, but there have been cases where individuals have lived up to 9 years. [4] Longear sunfish cannot tolerate cloudy or mucky water. Throughout the 20th century their populations have been reduced in areas where their native streams have suffered increased cloudiness. [12] This cloudiness could potentially be a result of human induced erosion for agriculture or industry purposes. Increased human disturbance along streams and rivers could continue to increase the reduction of longear populations due to the murkiness of rivers and streams.

Relationship with humans

Current management

Longear sunfish are not currently endangered in any of their native habitats. [7] They are not listed federally or internationally as threatened or endangered, but efforts are still being conducted in order to protect the species. [9] Small conservation actions are taking place all over the US. Control of non-point source pollution from urbanization and agricultural practices is needed for this species, which is intolerant of turbidity. Habitat degradation and loss from shoreline and watershed agriculture threatens this species which prefers clear, shallow streams with aquatic vegetation. [7] Sedimentation and agricultural runoff also threatens this species which is believed to have been lost from many locations because of the effects of soil erosion. The longear sunfish is not in danger of overfishing, because it is not considered a sport fish, and because the sunfish is not especially good for eating. The longear sunfish is currently threatened in states such as Wisconsin and New York. Refuge areas in these two states are being created along lakes and streams in order to protect the few, disjunct locations where this species live. [9] Since this species has a fairly large distribution nationally and its abundance is still quite high, there are not many conservation groups taking serious action in preserving this species. The longear sunfish tends to do well in rivers and streams that do not undergo much disturbance. If man-made disturbances continue to disrupt shorelines then agencies may begin to see an increased reduction in the Lepomis megalotis abundance nationwide.

Angling

The IGFA all tackle world record for the species stands at 0.79 kg (1 lb 12 oz) caught from Elephant Butte Lake in New Mexico in 1985. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centrarchidae</span> Family of ray-finned fishes

Centrarchidae, better known as sunfishes, is a family of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the order Centrarchiformes, native only to North America. There are eight universally included genera within the centrarchid family: Lepomis, Micropterus, Pomoxis (crappies), Enneacanthus, Centrarchus, Archoplites, Ambloplites, and Acantharchus. A genetic study in 2012 suggests that the highly distinct pygmy sunfishes of the genus Elassoma are also centrarchids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluegill</span> Species of fish

The bluegill, sometimes referred to as "bream", "brim", "sunny", or, as is common in Texas, "copper nose", is a species of North American freshwater fish, native to and commonly found in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands east of the Rocky Mountains. It is the type species of the genus Lepomis, from the family Centrarchidae in the order Centrarchiformes.

<i>Lepomis</i> Genus of fishes

Lepomis or true sunfish is a genus of North American freshwater fish from the family Centrarchidae in the order Centrarchiformes. The generic name Lepomis derives from the Greek λεπίς ("scale") and πῶμα. The genus' most recognizable species is perhaps the bluegill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pumpkinseed</span> Species of fish

The pumpkinseed, also referred to as sun perch, pond perch, common sunfish, punkie, sunfish, sunny, and kivver, is a small to medium–sized freshwater fish of the genus Lepomis, from the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) in the order Centrarchiformes. It is endemic to eastern North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warmouth</span> Species of fish

The warmouth is a freshwater fish of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) that is found throughout the eastern United States. Other local names include molly, redeye, goggle-eye, red-eyed bream, and strawberry perch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock bass</span> Species of freshwater fish

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redbreast sunfish</span> Species of fish

The redbreast sunfish is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Centrarchiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to the river systems of eastern Canada and the United States. The redbreast sunfish reaches a maximum recorded length of about 30 centimetres (12 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green sunfish</span> Species of fish

The green sunfish is a species of aggressive freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Centrarchiformes. The green sunfish does not always grow large enough to be an appealing target for anglers, but it is kept as an aquarium fish by hobbyists. They grow to be 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) long on average, but can achieve a length of 12 inches (30 cm).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redear sunfish</span> Species of fish

The redear sunfish, also known as the shellcracker, Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, and sun perch, is a freshwater fish in the family Centrarchidae and is native to the southeastern United States. Due to its popularity as a sport fish, it has been widely introduced across North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orangespotted sunfish</span> Species of fish

The orangespotted sunfish is a North American species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Centrarchiformes. These fish are widely distributed across the middle and eastern United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the east, from the Great Lakes south into the Gulf Coast. The orangespotted sunfish is ecologically unique and thrives in turbid, shallow systems that have few predators and low oxygen contents. The species prefers vegetated areas in sluggish backwaters or lakes, and can also be found in turbid rivers. The orangespotted sunfish can extend its range in lower-quality waters, which is not characteristic of other sunfish. Orangespotted sunfish vary in total length and age for different river basin originations, but can be found to live four to seven years, and recorded lengths are up to 15 cm (5.9 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded sunfish</span> Species of fish

The banded sunfish is a freshwater fish of the family, Centrarchidae. They can grow to 2–3 inches long. They are native to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brook stickleback</span> Species of fish

The brook stickleback is a small freshwater fish that is distributed across the US and Canada. It grows to a length of about 2 inches. It occupies the northern part of the eastern United States, as well as the southern half of Canada. Small populations are scattered throughout the Mississippi-Great Lakes basin extending to Colorado, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc., though some of these areas are not native to the species. This small fish inhabits clear, cool streams and lakes. They eat small Invertebrates, algae, insect larvae, and occasionally their own eggs. They are also preyed upon by smallmouth bass and northern pike. Feeding time is usually dawn and sunset. The brook stickleback does have active competition mostly from minnows, but feeding times are different, along with diet. Spawning occurs in midsummer. Males secure a territory, build a nest, and mate with females. Males provide protection for the eggs, ward off predators, and usually die later in the season. The nests are built out of aquatic grasses. This is considered an annual species. Though the brook stickleback is not considered a threatened species, deforesting and changing waters are altering ecosystems of the species. Harvesting of trees around riparian environments is having a large effect of the stream ecosystem where the brook stickleback resides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden topminnow</span> Species of fish

The golden topminnow is a fish of the genus Fundulus and is a United States native fish mostly distributed throughout the southeast, ranging from Kentucky and Ohio south into Florida. Although it has such a wide distribution throughout the south, the habitats and micro-habitats that it occupies do not differ much from one area of distribution to others. The golden topminnow is a small surface feeding fish that tends to reproduce late in the spring season and on into the early parts of the summer, and although the fry reach maturity fairly quickly the longevity of the golden topminnow is quite short. Because the golden topminnow is lower in the trophic level and is a small fish, it primarily feeds on small and/or drifting organisms at, or near the surface of, vegetated areas. This particular topminnow is not currently listed as an endangered species, nor does it have any particular type of management plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded pygmy sunfish</span> Species of fish

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotted sunfish</span> Species of fish

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The redfin shiner is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae. The redfin shiner is most commonly found in the Ohio and Mississippi River basins, as well as in drainages of the Great Lakes. The diet of the redfin shiner consists mostly of algae and small insects. This species prefers calm water in low-gradient streams over substrates of gravel or sand with some vegetation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dollar sunfish</span> Species of fish

The dollar sunfish is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Centrarchiformes. It is categorized as a warm water pan-fish. Early settlers said that this species of sunfish resembled a European species they called "bream". Historically it has been found along the Southern Atlantic coastal drainages from North Carolina to Florida, and west to Texas. Lepomis marginatus mainly feeds on detritus and filamentous algae as well as a few terrestrial insects. The juvenile and mature fish do not have many predators, but the eggs in the nest are in danger of predation from a few different species of fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern sunfish</span> Species of fish

The northern sunfish is a freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae). It is endemic to northern North America. Lepomis peltastes was previously recognized as a subspecies of longear sunfish, but is now widely considered a distinct species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosefin shiner</span> Species of fish

The rosefin shiner is a species of fish native to the United States. The fish is omnivorous and lives in freshwater rivers and creeks in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackbanded sunfish</span> Species of fish

The blackbanded sunfish is a freshwater fish species of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae). They are found in the United States ranging from New Jersey to central Florida. The defining feature of this blackbanded sunfish is the black vertical strips that it has on both sides of its body. The term "Enneacanthus" comes from the Greek terms ennea, which means "nine times", and acanthi, which means "thorn". It is in a genus that consists of only three species along with the Banded sunfish and the Bluespotted sunfish. Collectively, they are commonly referred to as the "banded sunfish" or "little sunfish".

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe; Lambarri Martínez, C.; Espinosa Pérez, H. (2019). "Lepomis megalotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T62216A130014171. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T62216A130014171.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Lepomis megalotis". FishBase . December 2019 version.
  3. 1 2 Berra, Tim and Gunning, Gerald (1972). "Seasonal movement and home range of the longear sunfish, Lepomis megalotis (rafinesque) in Louisiana". American Midland Naturalist, 88 (2): 368–375.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bonner, T (2007) "Lepomis megalotis: Longear sunfish" Texas Freshwater Fishes, Texas State University. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  5. ↑ Mettee, Maurice F.; O'Neil, Patrick E.; Pierson, J. Malcolm (2024) [Originally published 1996 in Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin]. "Longear Sunfish". Outdoor Alabama. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "Longear Sunfish". Missouri Department of Conservation. Conservation Commission of Missouri. 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mullaney, M (2003) "Lepomis megalotis" Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan. Accessed 24 November 2013.
  8. 1 2 Witt, Arthur (1954) "Spawning and behavior of the longear sunfish, lepomis megalotis megalotis". Copeia, 3: 188–190.
  9. 1 2 3 Lyons J (2013) "Longear sunfish (lepomis megalotis)" Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Updated 18 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Fuller, Pam and Matt Cannister (2012) Lepomis megalotis Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, United States Geological Survey. Updated 20 January 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  11. ↑ Berra, Tim and Gunning, Gerald (1970). "Repopulation of experimentally decimated sections of streams by longear sunfish, lepomis megalotis (rafinesque)". Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 99 (4): 776–781.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Mullaney M, Poor A and Fink W. Longear sunfish Biokids, University of Michigan. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  13. ↑ Keenleyside, Miles (1972) "Intraspecific intrusions into nests of spawning longear sunfish" Copeia, 2: 272–278.
  14. ↑ Bietz, Brian (1981) "Habitat availability, social attraction and nest distribution patterns in longear sunfish (lepomis megalotis peltastes) Environmental Biology of Fishes, 6 (2): 193–200.
  15. ↑ "Sunfish, longear". igfa.org. IGFA. Retrieved 17 June 2019.

Further references

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