Fish
Flier Sunfish
Centrarchus macropterus · also called flier sunfishes, round sunfish
Among the tangled aquatic vegetation of a southeastern swamp, a flier sunfish hovers with its distinctive dark eyespot on display near the base of its dorsal fin, the sole living representative of a genus that contains no other species at all.
Overview
The flier sunfish, Centrarchus macropterus, is a rounded, boldly barred fish native to still, vegetated wetland habitat across a broad range of the southeastern United States. Its status as the only species in its genus, distinctive dorsal eyespot, and strong preference for heavily vegetated still water make it one of the more taxonomically and visually distinctive sunfish in North America.
A genus of exactly one
While most sunfish share their genus with several close relatives, the flier sunfish stands entirely alone, distinctive enough in its own right to warrant a genus with no other members at all.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable still, vegetated wetland habitat throughout the southeastern United States.
Flier Sunfish: common questions
Why is the flier sunfish the only species in its genus?
This species is considered distinctive enough, based on differences in body shape and other physical features from other sunfish, to be classified as the sole member of its own genus, setting it apart taxonomically from many other sunfish species that belong to larger genera containing several closely related relatives.
What is the purpose of the flier sunfish's eyespot?
The dark, eye-like spot near the base of this species' rear dorsal fin may function as a decoy, potentially redirecting a predator's strike toward the fin margin rather than the fish's actual head and vital organs, a defensive strategy seen in various forms across a number of unrelated fish species.
How can you identify a flier sunfish?
Look for a notably rounded body marked with numerous thin, dark vertical bars, combined with a distinctive dark eyespot near the base of the rear dorsal fin, a combination of features that sets this species apart from most other sunfish sharing similar still, vegetated wetland habitat.
What kind of water does the flier sunfish prefer?
This species favours still or slow-moving water with abundant aquatic vegetation, such as swamps, oxbow lakes, and vegetated backwaters, generally avoiding faster-flowing streams that many other sunfish species tolerate well.