Fish
Redbreast Sunfish
Lepomis auritus · also called redbreast sunfishes
In a flowing Atlantic slope stream, a breeding male redbreast sunfish flashes a vivid orange-red breast as he guards a shallow gravel nest, holding his ground in current that many of his still-water sunfish relatives would simply avoid altogether.
Overview
The redbreast sunfish, Lepomis auritus, is a stream-dwelling panfish native to river drainages along the Atlantic slope of the eastern United States. Its vivid breeding colouration and genuine preference for flowing water rather than calm ponds set it apart from most of its more still-water-associated sunfish relatives.
A sunfish that chose the current
While many sunfish species settle happily into a calm pond, the redbreast sunfish has built its entire lifestyle around flowing streams and rivers, a habitat preference genuinely uncommon within its own family.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable stream and river habitat throughout the eastern United States.
Redbreast Sunfish: common questions
Why is it called the redbreast sunfish?
A breeding male redbreast sunfish develops a vivid orange-red breast and belly, a striking seasonal colour display that gives the species its common name, a pattern that becomes especially pronounced during the spring and summer breeding period before fading somewhat afterward.
Does the redbreast sunfish prefer ponds or streams?
The redbreast sunfish favours flowing streams and rivers more than the still ponds and lakes many other sunfish species prefer, a habitat preference that sets it apart from close relatives such as the bluegill, which are more commonly associated with calm, still water.
How can you identify a male redbreast sunfish?
A male redbreast sunfish develops a notably elongated, narrow black ear flap, longer than the shorter ear flaps typical of several other sunfish species, combined with a vivid orange-red breast during the breeding season, both useful features for distinguishing it from related sunfish.
Where does the redbreast sunfish live?
The redbreast sunfish is native to river drainages along the Atlantic slope of the eastern United States, generally favouring flowing stream and river habitat, with additional populations established in some other regions through introduction.