Male Bluegill Sunfish

The bluegill sunfish is one of the most colorful and popular freshwater fish species that is native to North America.

 Bluegill Sunfish Facts:

 - scientific name: Lepomis macrochirus
 - bluegill are members of the sunfish family which includes black bass, crappie, and others.
 - common names include bluegill, sunfish, bream, brim, sunny, sun perch
 - recognized as the state fish of Illinois
 - under optimum conditions, bluegill sunfish can grow to 9 inches in one year
 - average lifespan is four to six years
 - adults have a dark opercular (or ear) fin, with a dark margin
 - bluegill can hybridize with other sunfish including green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, redear sunfish, longear sunfish, and pumpkinseeds
 - bluegills are native to eastern and central North America
 - the species has been introduced throughout North America, Europe and South Africa
 - the species is usually found in slow moving or still water with aquatic vegetation

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