Biology:Pumpkinseed x bluegill sunfish

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Short description: Hybrid fish species

Pumpkinseed x bluegill sunfish
Pumpkingill 1 (Lepomis gibbosus x macrochirus).jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Centrarchidae
Subfamily: Lepominae
Genus: Lepomis
Species:

The pumpkinseed x bluegill sunfish[1] (Lepomis gibbosus x macrochirus), sometimes referred to as hybrid sunfish or pumpkingill,[citation needed] is a hybrid between a pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and a bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus).[2] They are sometimes found in lakes and ponds where both parent species are present.[2]

Description

While the appearance of a pumpkinseed x bluegill sunfish can vary between individuals, they usually share a combination of traits from both parent species.[2]

Coloration

A pumpkinseed x bluegill sunfish that nicely displays the chain-like striping of a bluegill mixed with the orange spots of a pumpkinseed.

The colors can differ from bright greens and oranges to darker greens and browns. They usually have dark orange or brown spots, chain-like stripes, or most often a combination of both. The ventral side of this hybrid ranges from yellow to dark orange. The main body color is often a combination green and light blue. The blue fades into green dorsally. The opercular flap has a black spot on it with and orange rim running along its edge.[2] The orange rim can sometimes be light and even pinkish in color. Though in some cases it can be more red like a pumpkinseed. The face of pumpkingills have faded and less prominent blue streaking on its head compared to its pumpkinseed parent.[2]

The median fins are usually mottled.[2] The fins on this fish are usually dark in color with faint white rims on the median fins.[2]

Range

These hybrids have been found mostly in the North Eastern and great lakes region of the United States . In states such as Connecticut they are the most common type of lepomid hybrid.[3]

Diet

They mostly eat things the parent species eat. That includes stuff such as worms, insects, small crayfish, and small fish.

References

Wikidata ☰ Q107171772 entry