Lepomis gibbosus

Inhabits vegetated lakes and ponds, as well as vegetated pools of creeks and small rivers (Ref. 5723). An introduced species in Europe which avoids swift waters and occurs in estuaries with a salinity up to 18.2 ppt (Ref. 59043). Feeds on small fishes and other vertebrates (Ref. 1998), as well as fish eggs (Ref. 2058). Reported in Europe to prey on a wide variety of invertebrates (Ref. 59043). Considered undesirable catch (Ref. 30578).

Pumpkinseeds, Lepomis_gibbosus, are found natively in the Atlantic Slope drainages from New Brunswick to the Edisto River in South Carolina and also in the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and upper Mississippi basins from Quebec and New York west to southeastern Manitoba and North Dakota, and south to northern Kentucky and Missouri.

This species has also been widely introduced in Europe, Africa, and South America, as well as other areas of North America.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced , Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); ethiopian (Introduced ); neotropical (Introduced )

Canada and U.S.A., introduced elsewhere.

North America: New Brunswick in Canada to South Carolina in the USA; Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and upper Mississippi basins from Quebec and New York west to southeast Manitoba and North Dakota, and south to north Kentucky and Missouri. Widely introduced. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Pumpkinseeds, Lepomis gibbosus, are found natively in the Atlantic Slope drainages from New Brunswick to the Edisto River in South Carolina and also in the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and upper Mississippi basins from Quebec and New York west to southeastern Manitoba and North Dakota, and south to northern Kentucky and Missouri.

This species has also been widely introduced in Europe, Africa, and South America, as well as other areas of North America.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced , Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); ethiopian (Introduced ); neotropical (Introduced )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Native to much of Atlantic slope from New Brunswick to Edisto River, South Carolina; Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and upper Mississippi basins from Quebec and New York to southeastern Manitoba and North Dakota, and south to northern Kentucky and Missouri drainage; common (Page and Burr 1991). Widely introduced in western U.S., southern Canada, and Europe.

Pumpkinseeds are deep-bodied and laterally compressed. They have brassy yellow to olive green sides that are densely covered with spots of bright copper or gold. The opercle flap has a distinctive crimson spot in a half-moon shape on the rear edge in adults. In young pumpkinseeds a pale spot on the opercle flap distinguishes them from other Centrarchidae.

Etnier and Starnes (1993) describe pumpkinseeds as having: lateral line scales 35 to 43, dorsal fin with 10 (10 to 11) soft rays, anal fin soft rays 9 to 10, pectoral fin rays 13 (12 to 14).

Young pumpkinseeds also have vertical chainlike bands down their sides with dark vertical bars between the primary bands. These help to differentiate them from other sunfishes. Lepomis_gibbosus are most easily confused with redear sunfish, L._microlophus and bluegills, L._macrochirus.

Range mass: 620 (high) g.

Average mass: 171-286 g.

Range length: 254 (high) mm.

Average length: 152-203 mm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 28 - 30

Pumpkinseeds are deep-bodied and laterally compressed. They have brassy yellow to olive green sides that are densely covered with spots of bright copper or gold. The opercle flap has a distinctive crimson spot in a half-moon shape on the rear edge in adults. In young pumpkinseeds a pale spot on the opercle flap distinguishes them from other Centrarchidae.

Etnier and Starnes (1993) describe pumpkinseeds as having: lateral line scales 35 to 43, dorsal fin with 10 (10 to 11) soft rays, anal fin soft rays 9 to 10, pectoral fin rays 13 (12 to 14).

Young pumpkinseeds also have vertical chainlike bands down their sides with dark vertical bars between the primary bands. These help to differentiate them from other sunfishes. Lepomis gibbosus are most easily confused with redear sunfish, L. microlophus and bluegills, L. macrochirus.

Range mass: 620 (high) g.

Average mass: 171-286 g.

Range length: 254 (high) mm.

Average length: 152-203 mm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Maximum size: 400 mm TL

40.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723)); max. published weight: 630 g (Ref. 4699); max. reported age: 12 years (Ref. 72493)

Length: 40 cm

Pumpkinseeds are freshwater fishes, like other members of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae. They prefer cool to moderately warm, clear water that is 1 to 2 m deep in areas with lots of vegetation for cover. The ideal water temperature for pumpkinseeds ranges from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius.

Average depth: 1 to 2 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh

benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15

Pumpkinseeds are freshwater fishes, like other members of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae. They prefer cool to moderately warm, clear water that is 1 to 2 m deep in areas with lots of vegetation for cover. The ideal water temperature for pumpkinseeds ranges from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius.

Average depth: 1 to 2 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh

Depth range based on 226 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.055 - 11.5

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.055 - 11.5
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Habitat Type: Freshwater

Comments: Lakes, reservoirs, ponds, sloughs, and sluggish streams; prefers quiet, clear water with aquatic vegetation and some organic debris. May occur in large numbers in shallow sheltered situations. Eggs are laid in a nest constructed by the male in shallow water (less than 1 m deep) in bottoms of sand, gravel, or woody debris.

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Pumpkinseeds consume a diverse diet of small prey including insects, insect larvae, mollusks, snails, crustaceans, leeches, and small fish. They are effective at destroying mosquito larvae and also consume detritus and small amounts of aquatic vegetation.

Lepomis gibbosus feed at all water levels throughout the day, with their heaviest feeding occurring during the afternoon.

Animal Foods: fish; eggs; insects; mollusks; terrestrial worms; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Plant Foods: leaves; algae

Other Foods: detritus

Occurs in quiet and vegetated lakes, ponds, and pools of creeks and small rivers. Feeds mainly on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020) but may also feed on small fishes and other vertebrates (Ref. 1998), as well as fish eggs (Ref. 2058).

Pumpkinseeds consume a diverse diet of small prey including insects, insect larvae, mollusks, snails, crustaceans, leeches, and small fish. They are effective at destroying mosquito larvae and also consume detritus and small amounts of aquatic vegetation.

L. gibbosus feed at all water levels throughout the day, with their heaviest feeding occurring during the afternoon.

Animal Foods: fish; eggs; insects; mollusks; terrestrial worms; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Plant Foods: leaves; algae

Other Foods: detritus

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore , Molluscivore )

Comments: Eats snails, aquatic insects, and other invertebrates obtained from bottom or from plant surfaces; pharyngeal jaws are specialized for crushing hard-shelled prey; larvae eat zooplankton (Moyle 1976, Becker 1983).

Pumpkinseeds are a vital intermediate link in the food chain. They are an important prey species for birds and larger fish predators. They also impact the insect populations through consumption.

Pumpkinseeds are considered a pest in many areas where they have been introduced. Several countries have reported an adverse ecological impact after their introduction. Pumpkinseeds hybridize readily with most other Lepomis, especially with Lepomis macrochirus and Lepomis cyanellus. The result is hybrids that are fast-growing, sterile males. This causes overcrowding and stunted growth in endemic species.

Pumpkinseeds inhabit dense vegetation to remain hidden from predators. Spines of the dorsal fins and anal fins on pumpkinseeds are spread out when they perceive danger, thus making them harder to swallow.

Known predators of pumpkinseeds include Stizostedion_vitreum (walleye), Micropterus_salmoides (largemouth bass), Perca_flavescens (yellow perch), Esox_lucius (northern pike), Esox_masquinongy (muskellunge), Amia_calva (bowfin), Anguilla_rostrata (American eel), other muskies (Esox), other sunfish (Centrarchidae), including other pumpkinseeds, mergansers (Lophodytes and Mergus), cormorants (Phalacrocorax), herons (Ardeidae), and humans (Homo_sapiens).

Known Predators:

• Stizostedion_vitreum (walleye)
• Micropterus_salmoides (largemouth bass)
• Perca_flavescens (yellow perch)
• Esox_lucius (northern pike)
• Esox_masquinongy (muskellunge)
• other muskies (Esox)
• Amia_calva (bowfin)
• Anguilla_rostrata (American eel)
• other sunfish (Centrarchidae), including other pumpkinseeds
• mergansers (Lophodytes and Mergus)
• cormorants (Phalacrocorax)
• herons (Ardeidae)
• humans (Homo_sapiens)

Pumpkinseeds are a vital intermediate link in the food chain. They are an important prey species for birds and larger fish predators. They also impact the insect populations through consumption.

Pumpkinseeds are considered a pest in many areas where they have been introduced. Several countries have reported an adverse ecological impact after their introduction. Pumpkinseeds hybridize readily with most other Lepomis, especially with bluegill and green sunfish. The result is hybrids that are fast-growing, sterile males. This causes overcrowding and stunted growth in endemic species.

Pumpkinseeds inhabit dense vegetation to remain hidden from predators. Spines of the dorsal fins and anal fins on pumpkinseeds are spread out when they perceive danger, thus making them harder to swallow.

Known predators of pumpkinseeds include Sander vitreus (walleye), Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass), Perca flavescens (yellow perch), Esox lucius (northern pike), Esox masquinongy (muskellunge), Amia calva (bowfin), Anguilla rostrata (American eel), other muskies (Esox), other sunfish (Centrarchidae), including other pumpkinseeds, mergansers (Lophodytes and Mergus), cormorants (Phalacrocorax), herons (Ardeidae), and humans (Homo sapiens).

Known Predators:

• Sander vitreus (walleye)
• Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass)
• Perca flavescens (yellow perch)
• Esox lucius (northern pike)
• Esox masquinongy (muskellunge)
• other muskies (Esox)
• Amia calva (bowfin)
• Anguilla rostrata (American eel)
• other sunfish (Centrarchidae), including other pumpkinseeds
• mergansers (Lophodytes and Mergus)
• cormorants (Phalacrocorax)
• herons (Ardeidae)
• humans (Homo sapiens)

Lepomis gibbosus (Lepomis gibbosus (pumpkinseed sunfish)) is prey of:
Salvelinus fontinalis

Based on studies in:
USA: New York, Bridge Brook (Lake or pond)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Lepomis gibbosus (Lepomis gibbosus (pumpkinseed sunfish)) preys on:
Actinopterygii
Epishura lacustris
Cyclops vernalis
Mesocyclops edax
Tropocyclops prasinus
Leptodora kindtii
Asplanchna
Copepoda
Diaptomus minutus
Daphnia dubia
Daphnia longiremis
Daphnia catawba
Daphnia retrocurva
Bosmina longirostris
Diaphanosoma birgei
Holopedium gibberum
Kelicottia bostoniensis
Kelicottia longispina
Keratella cochlearis
Keratella crassa
Keratella taurocephala
Trichocerca multicrinis
Gastropus stylifer
Polyarthra euryptera
Polyarthra remata
Polyarthra vulgaris
Conochiloides dossuarius
Conochiloides unicornis
Colletheca mutabilis

Based on studies in:
USA: New York, Bridge Brook (Lake or pond)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Male pumpkinseeds change color during breeding season so it would appear that visual cues are important to either other males or females.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile

Perception Channels: visual

Male pumpkinseeds change color during breeding season so it would appear that visual cues are important to either other males or females.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile

Perception Channels: visual

At 28 degrees Celsius the eggs of pumpkinseeds hatch in as little as three days. The normal range for eggs to hatch is 3 to 10 days. The newly hatched larvae are tiny and transparent. The eyes do not have any pigment in the first 48 hours after the larvae have hatched. They remain at the bottom of the nest for a short time. Male pumpkinseeds continue to guard larvae against predators for around 11 days when they become free-swimming. When they leave the nest the juvenile fish stay in or near the breeding area and can grow to around 50.8 mm in the first year of life. Pumpkinseeds usually reach sexual maturity at age 2.

Males build the nest on very shallow waters near the shore. The pair then swims in a circular path over the nest and eggs and sperm is released in intervals. The male guards the eggs and the young (to about 11 days after hatching), then prepares the nest for another spawning with the same or different females (Ref. 1998). In European waters, each male may spawn with several females in one nest and guard the nest until abandoned by larvae (Ref. 59043). Produces up to 1000 eggs (Ref. 1672).

At 28 degrees Celsius the eggs of pumpkinseeds hatch in as little as three days. The normal range for eggs to hatch is 3 to 10 days. The newly hatched larvae are tiny and transparent. The eyes do not have any pigment in the first 48 hours after the larvae have hatched. They remain at the bottom of the nest for a short time. Male pumpkinseeds continue to guard larvae against predators for around 11 days when they become free-swimming. When they leave the nest the juvenile fish stay in or near the breeding area and can grow to around 50.8 mm in the first year of life. Pumpkinseeds usually reach sexual maturity at age 2.

Pumpkinseeds typically live 5 to 6 years but have reached 12 years old in captivity. In the wild, however, most do not exceed 8 years old.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 8 years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 12 (high) years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 5 to 6 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 5-6 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 13.0 years.

Pumpkinseeds typically live 5 to 6 years but have reached 12 years old in captivity. In the wild, however, most do not exceed 8 years old.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 8 years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 12 (high) years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 5 to 6 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 5-6 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 13.0 years.

Male pumpkinseeds will defend their nests agressively against other fish by spreading their opercula, charging, biting, chasing, and on occasion, they will mouth-fight. Females come in from deeper waters and at first appear to be chased away from the nest but, after a considerable amount of chasing, the male attempts to drive her into his nest and the female will approach the nest.

When the male pumpkinseed gets the female in his nest they will swim in a circular path above the nest with their bellies touching. The male releases milt and the female releases her eggs at intervals and fertilization occurs. Female pumpkinseeds can spawn in more than one nest. Also more than one female can use the same nest. Occasionally two females will spawn with a male at the same time.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Spawning occurs when water is between 13 to 28 degrees Celsius, during late spring to late summer, depending on location. A female between 2 to 5 years of age can produce anywhere from 4000 to 7000 eggs in a single season and a male will breed several times (every 11 days or so) through the season.

Male pumpkinseeds build a nest in very shallow weedy bays of lakes or near the shore of runs and pools of streams in colonies of 3 to 15 nest sites. Pumpkinseeds maintain larger territories than Lepomis macrochirus but they will sometimes build their nests among Lepomis macrochirus and other sunfish nests and the different species will interbreed. Average pumpkinseed nests are around 30 cm in diameter and 5 to 7 cm deep.

Eggs can hatch in 3 days at 28 degrees Celsius. After hatching, the larvae will stay around 5 days in the nest, getting their nutrients from the yolk sac. When the larvae are able to self-feed they have a fully developed mouth and partially developed fins. The pelvic fins are the last to complete development. Pumpkinseeds reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age.

Breeding interval: The male will continue to spawn every 11 days or so through the breeding season.

Breeding season: Spawning and nesting occurs anywhere from April to August depending on location.

Average number of offspring: 600 to 3000 eggs.

Average time to hatching: 3 - 10 days.

Average time to independence: 10 - 11 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); broadcast (group) spawning; oviparous

Male pumpkinseeds guard and defend the nest until the fry have hatched and dispersed. Sometimes one male will guard two nests by moving back and forth between them. He will fan the nest with his fins to keep it clean and well-oxygenated until the larvae are able to feed on their own (usually around 10 to 11 days). Male pumpkinseeds will even return the fry to the nest in his mouth if they stray.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Protecting: Male, Female); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male); pre-independence (Protecting: Male)

Male pumpkinseeds will defend their nests agressively against other fish by spreading their opercula, charging, biting, chasing, and on occasion, they will mouth-fight. Females come in from deeper waters and at first appear to be chased away from the nest but, after a considerable amount of chasing, the male attempts to drive her into his nest and the female will approach the nest.

When the male pumpkinseed gets the female in his nest they will swim in a circular path above the nest with their bellies touching. The male releases milt and the female releases her eggs at intervals and fertilization occurs. Female pumpkinseeds can spawn in more than one nest. Also more than one female can use the same nest. Occasionally two females will spawn with a male at the same time.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Spawning occurs when water is between 13 to 28 degrees Celsius, during late spring to late summer, depending on location. A female between 2 to 5 years of age can produce anywhere from 4000 to 7000 eggs in a single season and a male will breed several times (every 11 days or so) through the season.

Male pumpkinseeds build a nest in very shallow weedy bays of lakes or near the shore of runs and pools of streams in colonies of 3 to 15 nest sites. Pumpkinseeds maintain larger territories than bluegill but they will sometimes build their nests among bluegill and other sunfish nests and the different species will interbreed. Average pumpkinseed nests are around 30 cm in diameter and 5 to 7 cm deep.

Eggs can hatch in 3 days at 28 degrees Celsius. After hatching, the larvae will stay around 5 days in the nest, getting their nutrients from the yolk sac. When the larvae are able to self-feed they have a fully developed mouth and partially developed fins. The pelvic fins are the last to complete development. Pumpkinseeds reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age.

Breeding interval: The male will continue to spawn every 11 days or so through the breeding season.

Breeding season: Spawning and nesting occurs anywhere from April to August depending on location.

Average number of offspring: 600 to 3000 eggs.

Average time to hatching: 3 - 10 days.

Average time to independence: 10 - 11 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); broadcast (group) spawning; oviparous

Male pumpkinseeds guard and defend the nest until the fry have hatched and dispersed. Sometimes one male will guard two nests by moving back and forth between them. He will fan the nest with his fins to keep it clean and well-oxygenated until the larvae are able to feed on their own (usually around 10 to 11 days). Male pumpkinseeds will even return the fry to the nest in his mouth if they stray.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Protecting: Male, Female); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male); pre-independence (Protecting: Male)

Spawns in spring and summer; eggs hatch in about 3-5 days; male guards eggs; sexually mature in 2nd or 3rd year; may nest in colonies (Moyle 1976).

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 40
Specimens with Barcodes: 102
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 29 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

Pumpkinseeds are common and abundant in suitable habitat, populations are not considered at risk.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

Pumpkinseeds are common and abundant in suitable habitat, populations are not considered at risk.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Comments: Localized threats may exist, but on a range-wide scale no major threats are known.

Not Evaluated

Pumpkinseeds cause no known negative economic impact.

Pumpkinseeds have little economic importance. They are aggressive feeders and readily bite at most bait. This, paired with their excellent flavor, causes people to consider them a good 'panfish.' However, experienced anglers often throw them back due to their small size.

The species can be successfully kept in aquariums and may, therefore, be kept as pets or used for lab experiments as well.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Pumpkinseeds cause no known negative economic impact.

Pumpkinseeds have little economic importance. They are aggressive feeders and readily bite at most bait. This, paired with their excellent flavor, causes people to consider them a good 'panfish.' However, experienced anglers often throw them back due to their small size.

The species can be successfully kept in aquariums and may, therefore, be kept as pets or used for lab experiments as well.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food