The following was created as a class report on a monitoring plan for the spotted sunfish (Lepomis punctatus). The spotted sunfish is sometimes called the stumpknocker in the South. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae and order perciformes. The scientific name punctatus refers to the spotted pattern.
It is considered a subtropical fish of the United States found at latitudes of 41°N - 26°N. It occurs from the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal drainages from Cape Fear, North Carolina, through the Rio Grande. The spotted sunfish is a demersal fish that inhabits slow moving streams as well as less brackish portions of estuaries. It prefers heavily vegetated lake bottoms.
Spotted sunfish are largely insectivores, feeding on midge larvae and other immature insects. They also feed on microcrustaceans such as amphipods (Hyalella) and cladocerans. Most prey is benthic in origin, but insects at the surface are also preyed upon.
It is considered a subtropical fish of the United States found at latitudes of 41°N - 26°N. It occurs from the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal drainages from Cape Fear, North Carolina, through the Rio Grande. The spotted sunfish is a demersal fish that inhabits slow moving streams as well as less brackish portions of estuaries. It prefers heavily vegetated lake bottoms.
Spotted sunfish are largely insectivores, feeding on midge larvae and other immature insects. They also feed on microcrustaceans such as amphipods (Hyalella) and cladocerans. Most prey is benthic in origin, but insects at the surface are also preyed upon.
Spotted sunfish typically reach a length of 9.8 cm (3.86in), with a record of 20cm(7.87in).
They are often caught by bream anglers that use crickets or worms as bait. The spotted sunfish provides sport, but is generally too small for a pan fish.
Spawning occurs from May to August in shallow water near cover. Males constroct singular or colonial nests. There may be several females to a single male. A female may have to attempt to enter a nest multiple times before acceptance. The male guards the eggs until they hatch and disperse. Eggs are blueish in color. Young grow about 3.3cm in the first year. Spotted sunfish have been known to hybridize with bluegill.
In general it is not a threatened species. It faces some vulnerability in South Carolina, but has not had significant decline or major need for immediate management.