Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill

Status

Physical 

The bluegill is a type of sunfish with olive green color, vertical stripes, and a yellow belly. They also have a large black spot and iridescent blue color on their gills. On average, they grow to about 7.5 in (19.1 cm), though the largest can grow up to 15 in (38.1 cm).

Habitat

Their native range spans from northern Mexico to Canada, and all the way in to the Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes. They prefer shallow freshwater environments like ponds and slow moving rivers. Because they are a popular sport fish, they have also been introduced all over the US and on other continents.

Feeding 

Bluegill are opportunistic feeders. They will eat anything from vegetation to zooplankton to fish eggs and other fish.

Bluegill
Image by Trisha Shears on Wikimedia