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The bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a species of freshwater
fish. It is a member of the sunfish family (family
Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. It is native
to a wide area of North America, from Québec to northern Mexico,
and has been widely transplanted to stock gamefish for anglers.
Of typical sunfish body shape, the bluegill's most notable feature is the blue
or black "ear", actually an extension of the gill cover called the
opercular flap. It can be distinguished from similar species by the (not always
pronounced) vertical bars along its flanks. The bluegill grows to a maximum
overall length of approximately 40 cm (16 in).
Bluegills are popular gamefish, caught with both flies and
live bait, chiefly at dawn and dusk. They are noted for seeking out underwater
vegetation for cover; their natural diet consist largely of small
invertebrates and very small fish. Because of their size and the method of cooking them, bluegills are often called panfish.
In some locations where it has been transplanted, it is considered a pest;
trade in the species is prohibited in Germany.
The specific epithet, macrochirus, derives from the Greek μακρός (long) and χείρ (hand).
References
- FishBase: Lepomis macrochirus (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Lepomis&speciesname=macrochirus)
- ITIS: Lepomis macrochirus (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168141)
- Parr, Cyndy Sims. "Lepomis macrochirus: Information (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepomis_macrochirus.html)". Animal Diversity Web. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, 2002.
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