84 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 
This rare sunfish has been recorded from but two localities in 
Ohio, both of these to the credit of Mr. McCormick, who says of 
them: ‘‘I took several specimens near Huron, July 6, 1891, and 
two near Lorain, in September.’’ Only two other specimens were 
known at the time Mr. McCormick took these. 
Eupomotis gibbosus (Linnaeus). COMMON SUNFISH ; 
PUMPKIN SEED ; SUNNY. 
Head 3 to 34%; depth 134 to 2; eye 4 to 4%; snout4%. OD. X, 10 to 12; 
A. III, 10 or 11: scales about 6-44-13, 4 rows on cheek. Body short and 
deep, compressed, the profile steep, convex. Head rather small; mouth 
small, maxillary scarcely reaching front of eye. Dorsal spines high, the 
longest 2 to 2% in head, equal to distance from snout to posterior edge of 
pupil; pectorals long, as long as head. Gill rakers short and soft, weaker 
than in any other species except Lepomis megalotis. Pharyngeal teeth all 
bluntly rounded, paved, the bones very broad and somewhat concave. 
Opercular flap small, the lower posterior part always lright scarlet, a char- 
acter which distinguishes this species at once in the adult. Color greenish 
olive, brilliantly marked with blue and orange on the sides; belly orange; 
lower fins orange, upper blue and orange-spotted; cheeks orange, with wavy 
blue streaks. One of the most gaudy of our Sunfishes, and quite variable. 
Length 8 inches. 
An abundant species in the ponds and lakes of central and 
northern Ohio, common in the large streams and in the quiet 
waters of bayous. Not common in the smaller streams, and said 
to be rather rare in the southern part of the state. In Sandusky 
Bay and in Licking reservoir it is the most abundant sunfish. 
Ross lake, Hamilton County, and Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889; 
Lorain County, ‘‘ very abundant below the ripples in the larger 
streams, and in the bayous near the lake. A few taken in the 
pounds,’’ Camden lake, McCormick, 1892; Maumee river system, 
‘abundant in all the lakes, common in all the larger streams, 
except the Auglaize river, less common in the smaller streams,’’ 
Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, Scioto and Olentangy rivers, 
Big Walnut and Big Darby creeks, not common, Williamson and 
Osburn, 1897; Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, St. Mary’s 
reservoir, Wabash river at Celina, North Fork of Licking river 
at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Pippin lake, Chippewa lake, 
Summit lake, Licking reservoir, abundant in all these localities, 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. 
