Redbreast sunfish
📖 Overview
Rocky and sandy pools of creeks and small to medium rivers; rocky and vegetated lake margins . Adults feed on terrestrial insects and both immature and adult aquatic insects, particularly larger varieties such as mayflies and dragonflies. Juveniles consume benthic organisms such as dipteran larvae .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Redbreast sunfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
The female lays around 1000 eggs in the depression created by the male who later takes care of eggs and young alone .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 15 - ?. Temperate; 4°C - 22°C ; 47°N - 28°N North America: Eastern Rivers of USA and Canada.
🌿 Ecology
terrestrial insects and both immature and adult aquatic insects, particularly larger varieties such
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 6-7ft baitcasting rod
- fluorocarbon leader
- baitcaster reel
- weedy shallows
- submerged timber
- rocky drop-offs
- docks and boat lifts
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Bag limits vary; check local slot-size regulations.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Redbreast sunfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Redbreast sunfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Redbreast sunfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Redbreast · Redbreast Sunfish |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Puna-aurinkoahven |
| 🇫🇷French | crapet rouge |
| 🇳🇴Norwegian | Rødbrysted solabbor |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | mojarra pecho rojo |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Rödbröstad solabborre |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryttus unicolor | Valenciennes | 1831 | Synonym |
| Labrus appendix | Mitchill | 1817 | Synonym |
| Labrus auritus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Labrus palladus | Mitchill | 1815 | Synonym |
| Lepomis ophthalmicus | Cope | 1868 | Synonym |
| Pomotis elongatus | Holbrook | 1855 | Synonym |
| Pomotis rubricauda | Storer | 1842 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 573 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Redbreast sunfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.