YELLOWBELLY SUNFISH 



Lepomis auritus (Linnaeus) 



The yellowbelly sunfish is distributed from Maine to Florida and 

 Louisiana with greatest abundance east of the AUeghenies and south of 

 New York. This is one of the two species of sunfishes distributed wide- 

 ly in Maine. Since they rarely reach a length much over 6 inches they 

 are little sought after by fishermen. 



Like the other members of the sunfish family the male yellowbelly 

 sunfish prepares a nest in shallow water easily recognized as an evenly 

 scooped out hollow with gravel in the center. Nests average about 12 

 inches in diameter. Males begin to make these nests during June usually, 

 but the exact date depends on the water temperature which should be 

 between 65 F. and 70 F. The male escorts the female into the nest 

 and after a few minutes courtship, the eggs are spawned and fertilized. 

 The adhesive eggs drop to the bottom of the nest on the gravel. The 

 male attends the eggs and the young for a short period. 



Yellowbelly sunfish do well in warmwater lakes where aquatic 

 vegetation is relatively thick. They are usually associated with pumpkin- 

 seed sunfish and yellow perch. 



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