Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus macrocbinis) 



Appearance. A short, compressed, deep-bodied fish. The adult is 

 dark olive above. It has six more or less distinct blue-green, vertical 

 bars on the sides. The lower part of the head is bluish; hence the 

 name Bluegill. The cheeks and gill covers are golden olive except 

 for the fleshy flap at the back of the gill cover, which is blue-black. 

 The belly is bright yellow or yellow-brown, darkest near the gills. 

 The fins are smoky green. The dorsal fin, which is made up of the 

 jointed first and second dorsal fins, has a blackish spot at the back. 

 The dorsal spines and those of the anal fin are very strong and 

 sharp. The young fish is pale olive above, with a strong sheen of 

 lavender. It is more slender than the adult. 



Size. Adult length about 200 mm., but crowding and other 

 factors frequently dwarf this species. However, where food is 

 abundant the length may be considerably greater. 



Habitat. Chiefly lakes and ponds, but it also frequents river 

 bays. 



Breeding Habits. Similar to the Largemouth Bass, except that 

 the nests are often only a few feet apart and there may be dozens 

 in a breeding area. Spawning occurs in June. 



Food. Aquatic insect larvae, snails, Crustacea and considerable 

 vegetable material. I feed this fish canned dog food, or half and 

 half of dried shrimp and rolled oats. It will eat more than it can 

 properly digest, if fed generously, so that the aquarium becomes 

 fouled. 



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