Lepomis macrochirus

Found frequently in lakes, ponds, reservoirs and sluggish streams (Ref. 5723, 10294); occur primarily in reservoirs in Hawaii; preferably live in deep weed beds (Ref. 5723). Active mainly during dusk and dawn. Adults feed upon snails, small crayfish, insects, worms and small minnows (Ref. 5723). Young feed on crustaceans, insects and worms (Ref. 5723, 10294).

This species is native to lakes and streams in the St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River systems. Thus, it ranges from Quebec to northern Mexico. However, it has been introduced widely in places such as Hawaii, Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); oriental (Introduced ); ethiopian (Introduced ); neotropical (Introduced ); oceanic islands (Introduced )

North America: St. Lawrence - Great Lakes and Mississippi river basin; from Quebec to northern Mexico. Widely introduced. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

This species is native to lakes and streams in the St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River systems.

Thus, it ranges from Quebec to northern Mexico. However, it has been introduced widely in places such as Hawaii, Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); oriental (Introduced ); ethiopian (Introduced ); neotropical (Introduced ); oceanic islands (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: This species is native to the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Quebec and New York to Minnesota and south to the Gulf of Mexico; also Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainages from the Cape Fear River, Virginia, to the Rio Grande, Texas and New Mexico; also northern Mexico (Page and Burr 1991). It has been introduced throughout North America and in many other parts of the world.

Eastern and central North America, introduced elsewhere.

Like other sunfish, bluegill have very deep and highly compressed bodies. In other words, they are "tall" and "flat." They have a small mouth on a short head. The dorsal fin is continuous, with the front part spiny and the back part soft and round with a dark smudge at the base. The tail fin is slightly forked but rounded. The body is mainly olive green with yellowish underneath. Their name "bluegill" comes from the iridescent blue and purple region on the cheek and gill cover (opercle). A close look reveals six to eight olive-colored vertical bars on the sides.

Typically, adults are between 10 and 15 cm but they can grow as large as 41 cm.

Young bluegill are a paler version of the adults, usually silver with a slight purple sheen.

Range mass: 2.2 (high) kg.

Range length: 41.0 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Like other sunfish, bluegill have very deep and highly compressed bodies. In other words, they are "tall" and "flat." They have a small mouth on a short head. The dorsal fin is continuous, with the front part spiny and the back part soft and round with a dark smudge at the base. The tail fin is slightly forked but rounded. The body is mainly olive green with yellowish underneath. Their name "bluegill" comes from the iridescent blue and purple region on the cheek and gill cover (opercle). A close look reveals six to eight olive-colored vertical bars on the sides.

Typically, adults are between 10 and 15 cm but they can grow as large as 41 cm.

Young bluegill are a paler version of the adults, usually silver with a slight purple sheen.

Range mass: 2.2 (high) kg.

Range length: 41.0 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Maximum size: 410 mm TL

41.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723)); max. published weight: 2,150 g (Ref. 4699); max. reported age: 10 years (Ref. 72462)

Length: 41 cm

A dark blue or black "ear" on an extension of the gill cover called the opercular flap; a prominent dark blotch at the base of the dorsal fin, close to the tail; typically olive-green backs, with a blue or purplish sheen along the sides; faint vertical bars may be present along the sides; breeding males may have more blue and orange coloration on their flanks (Ref. 44091).

Bluegill prefer to live in lakes and slow-moving, rocky streams. They can often be found in deep beds of weeds. In Hawaii they primarily inhabit reservoirs. Though they are freshwater fish, they can tolerate some saltiness and are present in tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh

benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15

Bluegill prefer to live in lakes and slow-moving, rocky streams. They can often be found in deep beds of weeds. In Hawaii they primarily inhabit reservoirs. Though they are freshwater fish, they can tolerate salinities up to 18% and are present in tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh

Depth range based on 24 specimens in 5 taxa.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.23 - 15

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.23 - 15
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Habitat Type: Freshwater

Comments: Habitat includes warm shallow lakes, reservoirs, ponds, swamps, sloughs, and slow-flowing rivers and streams. Bluegill often are associated with rooted aquatic plants and with bottoms of silt, sand, or gravel. They seldom go much deeper than 16 feet (5 meters). Large individuals seek more open water than do smaller ones. Eggs are laid in nests made in shallow water by males, on bottoms of gravel, sand, or mud that contains pieces of debris.

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.

The very small mouth of this fish is an adaptation to eating small animals. Bluegills are carnivores, primarily eating invertebrates such as Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, Malacostraca, aquatic Insecta, small Malacostraca, and zooplankton. They can also consume small fish such as Pimephales notatus and plant material such as algae. Young bluegill eat Oligochaeta and zooplankton, staying under cover while adults feed more in the open.

Animal Foods: fish; insects; mollusks; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Plant Foods: algae

Found frequently in lakes, ponds, reservoirs and sluggish streams; occurs primarily in reservoirs in Hawaii; preferably lives in deep weed beds. Is active mainly during dusk and dawn. Adults feed upon snails, small crayfish, insects, worms and small minnows. Young feed on crustaceans, insects and worms.

The very small mouth of this fish is an adaptation to eating small animals. Bluegills are carnivores, primarily eating invertebrates such as snails, worms, shrimp, aquatic insects, small crayfish, and zooplankton. They can also consume small fish such as minnows and plant material such as algae. Young bluegill eat worms and zooplankton, staying under cover while adults feed more in the open.

Animal Foods: fish; insects; mollusks; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Plant Foods: algae

Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats non-insect arthropods)

Comments: Feeds opportunistically on aquatic insect larvae, planktonic crustaceans, flying insects, snails, and other small invertebrates; small fishes, fish eggs, crayfish, and algae sometimes are eaten. Larvae and juveniles often eat cladocerans and copepod nauplii. Adults eats mainly aquatic insects, crayfishes, and small fishes, or, in some bodies of water, mostly zooplankton. Feeds at all levels of water column.

Bluegill are an important prey species for larger fish predators. They also impact insect populations by eating aquatic larvae.

Bluegill travel in schools and come into shallow water only at night. During the day they try to remain hidden.

Known Predators:

• great blue herons (Ardea_herodias)
• belted kingfishers (Cercyle_alcyon)
• raccoons (Procyon_lotor)
• brown trout (Salmo_trutta)
• largemouth bass (Micropterus_salmoides)
• striped bass (Morone_saxatilis)

Bluegill are an important prey species for larger fish predators. They also impact insect populations by eating aquatic larvae.

Bluegill travel in schools and come into shallow water only at night. During the day they try to remain hidden.

Known Predators:

• great blue herons (Ardea herodias)
• belted kingfishers (Cercyle alcyon)
• raccoons (Procyon lotor)
• brown trout (Salmo trutta)
• largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
• striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Lepomis macrochirus is prey of:
Salmo trutta
Morone saxatilis
Micropterus salmoides
Ardea herodias
Ceryle alcyon
Procyon lotor

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

Lepomis macrochirus preys on:
non-insect arthropods

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

Philometroides Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Epitheliocystis. Bacterial diseases

Populations of stunted individuals often occur in closed pond systems with no emigration pathway.

Males change color during breeding season so it seems likely that visual cues are important either to other males or to females. Grunting is involved in courtship.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Males change color during breeding season so it seems likely that visual cues are important either to other males or to females. Grunting is involved in courtship.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Bluegill typically live 4 to 6 years but can reach 8 to 11 years old in captivity.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 8.0 to 11.0 years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 4.0 to 6.0 years.

Bluegill typically live 4 to 6 years but can reach 8 to 11 years old in captivity.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 8.0 to 11.0 years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 4.0 to 6.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 10 years (wild) Observations: Unverified estimates suggest these animals may live up to 11 years (http://www.fishbase.org/).

Males make nests in colonies with from 20 to 50 other males in shallow water less than 1 m deep. The nests are circular shallow depressions, about 20 to 30cm in diameter, in sand or fine gravel from which the male has fanned all debris.

Once his nest is made, a male waits in it and grunts to attract females. When one enters, both male and female swim in circles. Eventually they stop and touch bellies, the male in an upright posture and the female leaning at an angle. They release eggs and sperm and then start the process again by swimming in circles.

A female deposits her eggs into several nests, and a male's nest may be used by several females.

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Spawning occurs when water is between 17 and 31 degrees C; in the Chesapeake Bay area it can begin when water temperatures reach 12 degrees C. Females can carry up to 50,000 eggs which take several days to hatch. After a week, young leave the nest.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs from May to September (Chesapeake Bay).

Average number of offspring: 50000.0.

Average time to hatching: 3.0 days.

Average : 7.0 days.

Average time to independence: 3 days.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1.0 to 2.0 years.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1.0 to 2.0 years.

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

Males guard nests both before and after females lay eggs. Paternal care involves fanning the eggs and chasing away predators.

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

Males make nests in colonies with from 20 to 50 other males in shallow water less than 1 m deep. The nests are circular shallow depressions, about 20 to 30cm in diameter, in sand or fine gravel from which the male has fanned all debris (Murdy et al., 1997).

Once his nest is made, a male waits in it and grunts to attract females. When one enters, both male and female swim in circles. Eventually they stop and touch bellies, the male in an upright posture and the female leaning at an angle. They release eggs and sperm and then start the process again by swimming in circles.

A female deposits her eggs into several nests, and a male's nest may be used by several females (Williams, 1996).

Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Spawning occurs when water is between 17 and 31 degrees C; in the Chesapeake Bay area it can begin when water temperatures reach 12 degrees C. Females can carry up to 50,000 eggs which take several days to hatch. After a week, young leave the nest.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs from May to September (Chesapeake Bay).

Average number of offspring: 50000.0.

Average time to hatching: 3.0 days.

Average : 7.0 days.

Average time to independence: 3 days.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1.0 to 2.0 years.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1.0 to 2.0 years.

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

Males guard nests both before and after females lay eggs. Paternal care involves fanning the eggs and chasing away predators.

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

Spawning occurs over an often extended period in spring and summer. Eggs hatch in about 2-3 days. Males guard the eggs and hatchlings. Spawners may be 1 year old, but usually are 2-3 years old. Bluegill often spawn in colonies that may include dozens of crowded craterlike or saucer-shaped nests.

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

There are 22 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

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 23
Specimens with Barcodes: 51
Species With Barcodes: 1

Bluegill are abundant in their native range. Many individuals are raised in aquaculture facilities and used to stock waterways.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Bluegill are abundant in their native range. Many individuals are raised in aquaculture facilities and used to stock waterways.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: 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

Several countries where this species has been introduced report that it causes ecological problems. Bluegill overcrowd and stunt the growth of other fish and may even be responsible for causing extinction of a native fish in Panama. It is considered a pest in its introduced range.

This is an important game fish in the United States. Bluegill are fairly easy to catch and are good to eat. They are also used to stock rivers and lakes with food for Micropterus salmoides, another important game fish.

Positive Impacts: food ; ecotourism

fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Several countries where this species has been introduced report that it causes ecological problems. Bluegill overcrowd and stunt the growth of other fish and may even be responsible for causing extinction of a native fish in Panama. It is considered a pest in its introduced range.

This is an important game fish in the United States. Bluegill are fairly easy to catch and are good to eat. They are also used to stock rivers and lakes with food for largemouth bass, another important game fish.

Positive Impacts: food ; ecotourism

Comments: Has been cultured extensively, almost entirely in brood ponds. This is the usual forage fish stocked in combination with largemouth bass in southwestern U.S. (Sublette et al. 1990).