Pumpkinseed Sunfish

The pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) is a freshwater fish of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes.

Pumpkinseed sunfish have been introduced throughout all of North America. The pumpkinseeds natural range is from New Brunswick down the east coast to South Carolina. The greatest populations of pumpkinseed sunfish are in the northeastern region of the United States as they are rarely found in the south-central or southwestern region of the continent. In Europe, the pumpkinseed is considered an invasive species. They were introduced to European waters, and could outcompete existing fish, therefore making them invasive or alien species.

Pumpkinseeds typically live in warm, calm lakes, ponds and pools of creeks and small rivers with plenty of vegetation. They prefer clear water where they can find shelter to hide. They tend to stay near the shore and can be found in numbers within shallow and protected areas. Pumpkinseeds are active during the day and rest near the bottom in protected or covered areas such as submerged logs during the night. They will feed at all water levels form the surface to the bottom in the daylight, and their heaviest feeding will be in the afternoon. Pumpkinseed sunfish usually travel together in schools that can also include bluegills and other sunfish.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkinseed - 20.09.2009