Orangespotted sunfish

Characteristics

A moderately deep-bodied, slab-sided sunfish with a large mouth that extends to the front of the eye when the mouth is closed. The spiny dorsal fin has 10 spines and is directly connected to the soft part of the fin. Pectoral fins are short and rounded, usually not reaching past the eye when extended in a forward position. The opercular flap is long and black with a whitish margin. The most striking features of the Orangespotted Sunfish are the vivid red or orange spots on the sides of males and the more subdued brownish-orange spots on females. The sides are olive-colored with a sprinkling of fine golden and emerald dots. Pelvic and anal fins are fringed in black.

Distribution

Widely distributed throughout Iowa; most common in the man-made lakes, natural lakes and interior streams. Occasionally seen in the Mississippi River and rare in the Missouri River.

Foods

Aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally other small fish

State Record

0.02 lbs; 2.25 in. - Pool 14, Mississippi River, Clinton Co., February 7, 2023 - Aven Monaghan, Clinton, Iowa

Expert Tip

None

Details

The Orangespotted Sunfish spawns by nesting in colonies with the male fish building a nest by digging a small depression in the sand or gravel. Since this is the smallest sunfish, it also builds the smallest nests. Spawning lasts from May through August, at which time the males are so brightly colored they look like painted artificials. The male stays with the nest for about 5 days or until the eggs hatch.

Orangespotted Sunfish reach about an inch long by the end of their first year of life and grow to about 2-inches in the second year. Growth continues at about one inch each year for the first four years. Adults mature at about 2-inches long and fish longer than 4-inches are very rare in Iowa.

Recent stream sampling information is available from Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program.