AquaticRepublic.com - Lepomis macrochirus (Centrarchidae) All Fishes

Adult male fanning eggs
Eggs in a nest
Close-up of nest
Adult male guarding nest

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Lepomis macrochirus** Rafinesque, 1819
Common Names	Bluegill Bluegill Sunfish, Bream, Copper Nose, Rim, Sunfish
Type Locality	Ohio River U.S.A.
Synonym(s)	Eupomotis macrochirus, Lepomis ardesiacus, Lepomis longispinis, Lepomis macrochirus macrochirus, Lepomis macrochirus purpurescens, Lepomis mystacalis, Lepomis purpurescens, Pomotis heros, Pomotis incisor, Pomotis luna, Pomotis obscurus, Pomotis speciosus, Xystroplites gillii
Pronunciation	leh poe miss. - Mak - row - kii - russ.
Etymology	Lepomis is from Greek, lepis meaning scaled and poma meaning gill cover or operculum. The specific epithet is also from the greek and means large hand.
Species Information
Size	410mm or 16.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Sexing	Adult males are larger and more colorful than females.
Habitat Information
Distribution	North America: St. Lawrence - Great Lakes and Mississippi river basin; from Quebec to northern Mexico. Widely introduced. Trade restricted in Germany (Anl.3 BArtSchV). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Temperature	18.0-24.5°C or 64.4-76.1°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Omnivorous. Feed flake, pellets, brine shrimp, bloodworms, spirulina, and supermarket shrimp. Adults relish live minnows. User data.
Suggested Tankmates	Other Lepomis sunfish (ex. Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds, Green Sunfish, etc.), Black and White Crappies, Black Basses, Yellow Perch, Creek Chubs, Bullhead Catfish, and Channel Catfish.
Breeding	In nature, once water temperatures rise to 70-75°F (normally spring) males will excavate nests in the substrate. Multiple females will them spawn with one male. The male will then be the sole protector and caretaker of the eggs and the fry until the fry are a few weeks old.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Journal de Physique, de Chimie et d'Histoire Naturelle v. 88, pp 420.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
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	Look up L. macrochirus on Fishbase
	Look up L. macrochirus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up L. macrochirus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
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Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:50 (species record created: 2014 Aug 15 11:25)