Blue-Spotted Sunfish
Enneacanthus gloriosus
Physical: Blue-spotted Sunfish is about 9.5 cm in length. It is one of the smallest fishes in its family, Centrarchidae, the Sunfishes. Its body is dark in color and covered in blue or white spots. It has a single dorsal fin and three anal fins, which all contain spines, as well as a rounded caudal (tail) fin.
Habitat: Found in calm and secluded areas of freshwater ponds, lakes, creeks, streams and medium-sized rivers where there is dense submerged aquatic vegetation and tree roots. In coastal areas it tolerates brackish water and can be found in estuaries. Its range runs along the east coast from southern New York to Alabama.
Feeding: This planktivorous species displays a crepuscular feeding pattern; active predominantly during the evening. It eats a wide variety of plankton including water fleas, midge and mosquito larvae, tiny crustaceans, and snails.
Breeding: Males build a nest within the substrate or in plant matter. Females lay from 40 up to 200+ eggs, and can spawn several times in spring and summer when conditions are prime.
