Anglers nicknamed the redear sunfish "shellcracker" because they have teeth (called pharyngeal teeth) located in the throat area of the fish that are used to crush the shells of some of the redear’s favorite prey items—mussels and snails. Redear are often stocked in small farm ponds in combination with bluegill and largemouth bass.
Range: Statewide
Commonly Mistaken Species: One species of fish that is commonly mistaken for this species:
Pumpkinseed
Habitat & Range
Redear can be found in a variety of habitat types including ponds, lakes, reservoirs, swamps, streams and small rivers. They prefer slow moving, sluggish or non-flowing waters and are often found in or near areas of vegetation and over a mud or sand bottom.
Life History
Spawning: - Redear sunfish can begin spawning at age one, but most don't until age two at temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit usually in late spring to early summer.
- They create shallow nests in water 6 inches to several feet deep on sand, gravel or mud.
- The nests may be solitary or in groups of several dozen and up to one hundred.
- The female will lay up to 45,000 eggs which the male guards and aerates during incubation.
Diet: - Redear sunfish feed on the bottom and therefore eat aquatic organisms that live on the bottom such as mussels, snails and insect larvae.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size
6-10 inches 4-8 ounces
Lifespan
: Approximately 8 years
State Record
: Unknown
