- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Lepomis microlophus
- CLASSIFICATION
- Fish
- LIFE SPAN
- 6-8 Years
- SIZE
- 6-14” | 0.5-3lbs
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Unprotected
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Game
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
Redear Sunfish are native to the southeastern United States but have been introduced extensively throughout North America. In Nevada, it can be found in small ponds such as Floyd Lamb Park Pond in southern Nevada, and Dufurrena Ponds, and ponds in Mason Valley WMA in northern Nevada. It is also found in the Colorado River below Davis Dam. The species typically resides in warm, calm lakes and ponds.
Threats
- Neoergasilus Japonicus
- Non-native Parasitic Copepod
Natural History
Using lakebeds as the ideal feeding ground, the Redear Sunfish seek out hard shelled prey, with snails being their food of choice. More recently, the stocking of redear has found additional benefits with the fish’s ability to eat quagga mussels, a prominent invasive species in many freshwater drainages.
OTHER Species
