A brightly colored, freshwater, North American bottom feeder. The Redear Sunfish generally resembles the Bluegill except for it coloration. It has an olive back, a red-tipped tail, yellow-green sides, yellow-orange belly, and brown speckles throughout. It is often referred to as the “Shellcracker” due to the fact that it has specialized molar-like teeth used for crushing snails, its preferred prey, along with other shelled creatures.
Wetland
Redear sunfish are native to the southeastern United States. They range from North Carolina to Florida, west to southern Illinois and Missouri, and south to the Rio Grande drainage in Texas.
Spring, Summer
Abundant
Crepuscular
Juveniles consume insect larvae and adults primarily consume aquatic snails
Redear sunfish that share habitat with largemouth bass and bluegill are forced to compete for food as fry and juveniles. They eat insect larvae until their jaws are strong enough to crush the shells of their primary prey, aquatic snails.
Least Concern
