Sun perch (Lepomis gibbosus)

Class Actinopterygii order of Perciformes family of Centrarchid Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Lepomis gibbosus is a discoid fish, the mouth is small, oblique upwards. The dorsal fin is composed of two continuous parts. The operculum is covered with scales and ends with a soft tip.

The color of the fish is often very long live predominantly blue and green on the back, the sides are orange-yellow. In males, the end of the operculum has a scarlet task, it is often more dull or even absent in females.

Sun perch can live a decade

This voracious fish is omnivorous. It feeds from almost any, worms, crustaceans, insects, FRY and small fish and other vertebrates as well as fish eggs sometimes.

Spawning it begins in late spring and can take place until early August. The nest is built by the male in shallow water (15-30 cm) in a protected area by vegetation. The female lays between 1500 and 3000 eggs. The male protects the eggs and FRY. They hatch 3 days after laying. A male may spawn several times in the same nest in a single season with one or more females (consecutively or at the same time).