The Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) was described in 1820 by French biologist Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. Lepomis is Greek for "scaled gill cover," and megalotis means "great ear," describing the large opercular (ear) flap that this species possesses. These fish are cousins to the more well-known Bluegill and other Sunfish species. Some of the main characteristics that distinguish them are the bright, blue streaks across their face, and the pectoral fins are shorter with rounded tips. They have been recorded to reach lengths of 9.5 inches. Now technically these are not "baitfish", but they are known to be used as such by anglers going after Flathead Catfish.
Pictured above is a Longear Sunfish variation from the Mississippi Embayment Region. Photo credit: Zach Alley
Like other Sunfish, Longears will live in natural lakes, but they prefer streams and small rivers with low to moderate gradients. They are primarily found in clear waters with clean gravel and cobble substrates. Generally avoiding faster waters, they will use pools with root wads, log piles, or water willow mats as additional cover. Longear Sunfish are described as a benthopelagic species, meaning that they can live anywhere in the water column from near the surface, all the way down to just off the bottom.
Pictured here is a Longear Sunfish variation from the Gulf Slope Basin. Photo credit: Zach Alley
The primary forage is terrestrial and aquatic insects and their larvae that live near the surface or within the vegetation. The Longear can truly be considered an omnivore though, because they have been reported to eat vegetation, insects, and even other fish. During certain times when food availability is low, they have been known to eat the young of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, along with other fish that reside within the system.
Pictured is a Central Longear Sunfish from a southern tributary of the Scioto River.
The spawning season for Longear Sunfish occurs during the late spring to early summer. Males will congregate in shallow areas, forming dense breeding colonies. They will dig nests by fanning a spot with their tail fin to clean the gravel of any debris. Females will then move up and find a preferred male, when they do the two will start to spin with each other around the nest. They will stop often to release eggs and have them fertilized. Once mating is over, the female will either be kicked out of the nest or she will leave to find another mate. The male will then stay with the eggs to guard from predators and to keep them clean and well-oxygenated by fanning.
The image from FishMap shows the extensive range that the Longear Sunfish covers. They reach as far north as the Canadian border with Minnesota, all the way down to northeastern Mexico! Grey watersheds indicate where they currently can be found and the red are where they historically occurred. They are not endangered in any of their current habitats but are threatened within the states of New York and Wisconsin. These fish are highly intolerant of pollution, turbid water, and siltation which makes them an excellent indicator species of healthy waterways.
If you go to the FishMap link above and click on some of the yellow points scattered across their range, you will see a great variation in the physical appearance of this species. These variations have led to discussions of potentially splitting the single Longear species, into several new species that are distinct and unique to their ecoregion. This is fascinating work which requires observations and collections from across their range to decide how the split happens.
The best way to observe these gorgeous fish is to go out to a stream and fish for them. You could also go snorkel around their preferred habitat or during the spawn when they are on a bed. Some people (including myself) have made them pets by setting up an aquarium filled with gravel and vegetation or wood. You have to be careful with tank mates though, because the Longear Sunfish can be aggressive towards other fish. If you do have them with other fish, make sure they can defend themselves from any attack. They have a recorded maximum age of roughly 6 years in the wild, but could potentially live longer in captivity if taken well care of. The Longear Sunfish is one of the most stunning species to be found in our underwater ecosystems. Once you see this fish, you won't ever forget it!
Comentarios