Sun fish are one of the most colorfully marked fish and a very popular aquarium fish.
One of the most colorfully marked fish in some species and a very popular aquarium fish is found in the sun fish family. This family includes numerous species including the pigmy sun fish, banded sun fish, mud sun fish, black and white crappies, red breast sun fish, orange spotted sun fish, red eared sun fish, long eared sun fish, Sacramento perch, banded pigmy sun fish, blue spotted sun fish, black banded sun fish and everglades pigmy sun fish. Although most of the sun fish species are smaller there have been a few documented that were over two feet long with weights up to twenty two pounds. This would explain why some of the smaller species are great to brighten an aquarium while the larger sun fish are quite a challenge for the sporting fisherman.
With twelve genera of sun fish and thirty species, this fish can be easily observed throughout the coastal regions of North America and even in the Gulf of Mexico. These amazing fish can be found in lakes, rivers and marshes with some species even in brackish water areas. Sun fish are very picky eaters for a predatory fish choosing such prey as worms, small crustaceans, tadpoles, snails, fish eggs, insect larvae and depending on their size even frogs or other fish. They always spawn during the spring and summer months, with the male taking part in the preparations by digging out a spawning pit prior to mating. This pit will usually be found in shallow areas of the coast line and can vary in size with the species. In some species these pits are carefully clean and lined with aquatic plant materials by the males. In most sun fish the spawning period will include an interesting courtship prior to mating with the males of the different species taking on brilliant colors. After mating the female will lay her eggs in the pit and both parents, as well as, others of the species participating in protecting the nest. Once the young sun fish hatch they are watched over by both parents until they can take care of themselves.
Two of the better known aquarium species of sun fish are the everglade pigmy sun fish and the banded pigmy sunfish. The everglade pigmy sun fish are found living in the Florida everglades and are a deep olive green to a greenish gray with some spots and diagonal stripes. When spawning season arrives the males in this species change color becoming bluish black with their spots turning a bright blue green. The banded pigmy sun fish are found throughout the western part of the United States and in some cases even as far inland as Texas. Interestingly, they are not as colorful as many species of sun fish but instead have distinct bands that run diagonally along their bodies. Another species favored by aquarium enthusiast, the blue spotted sun fish, has brilliant blue spots and diagonal stripes that are barely discernable. At one time the Sacramento perch was quite prominent in the San Joaquin river areas but today this fish is rarely seen. It is believed that the introduction of catfish and carp to their spawning areas may have been the cause. Crappies are very popular sun fish that are found throughout the United States. This species of sun fish make great eating and are fun to catch. The most brightly colored of the sun fish are in the Lepomis genus. Most of these fish, when placed in sunlight, give off a brilliant sheen that is reflected in their names.
