Redear Sunfish

Identifying Characteristics

• Body is rounded, with the head being more pointed than other sunfish species
• Pectoral fins are long and pointed
• Gill cover flaps have a crescent-shaped red border; larger in size than that of Pumpkinseed
• Lower gill plate often possesses a round speckling that may extend onto the body
• Most often olive on top, with greenish-yellow sides, transitioning to yellow on the breast
• Mouth slightly orients downward

Habitat

Redear Sunfish often seek out quieter waters with an abundance of hard structure. They gravitate to stumps, logs, submerged brush and rootwads.

Diet

Redear Sunfish primarily feed by scavenging the substrate for prey, aided by a slightly downturned mouth. They possess specialized teeth in their throat that enable them to crush the shells of little snails and small mussels. Because of this feeding strategy, Redear Sunfish are colloquially referred to as Shellcrackers in much of Virginia. They will opportunistically feed on other prey items such as macroinvertebrates.

Distribution:

Redear Sunfish can be found throughout most of Virginia, but are only native to the upper Tennessee River basin in southwest Virginia.