Fun Redbreast Sunfish Facts For Kids

Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) is a freshwater fish that is native to Canada and the United States, but also can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, west Texas, Louisiana, central Florida, and northern Florida. They belong to the Centrarchidae family which is the sunfish family. This species of fish is also known as an eastern blue devil, a blue-tipped long-fin and a Bleeker’s redbreast sunfish.People often get confused between a sunfish and a bluegill. To differentiate between the two, it is important to know that a sunfish’s preferable habitat is the sea, while a bluegill prefers freshwater. A redbreast sunfish is the ideal example to highlight how they differ from a bluegill, however this difference isn’t true for all sunfishes.This fish are mostly olive-green or blueish-green in color which fades into an orange-red belly in the case of females. They have nine to 10 anal fins which is a characteristic of the family they belong to.To learn more about this species, keep on reading. Are you interested in learning about different animals living around the world? Then don’t forget to read our articles on drum fish and sawfish.

What do they prey on? Aquatic insects, insect larvae, fish, terrestrial insects, mollusks, crayfish, snails, and clams

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 1000-10000

How much do they weigh? 1-2 lb (0.4-0.9 kg)

How long are they? 8-12 in (20.3-30.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive green, blueish green, and orange-red

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Non-native Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lakes, Rivers, Pools, And Upstream Reaches Of Reservoirs, Backwaters Of Streams

Locations And The United States, The Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Canada

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Lepomis

Class Actinopterygii

Family Centrarchidae

Redbreast Sunfish Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a redbreast sunfish?Belonging to the family of sunfish (more precisely Centrarchidae), a redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), also known as red-breasted bream, is a freshwater fish.What class of animal does a redbreast sunfish belong to?This species of redbreast sunfish belong to the Actinopterygii class of the animal kingdom. Fish belonging to this class are also known as rayfinned-fish. They do not have a rigid skeleton. Instead, their rays support the fins which gives them their unique name.How many redbreast sunfish are there in the world?The exact number of this fish in the world is not known. However, according to the IUCN Red List, they come under the Least Concern category which indicates their abundance.Where does a redbreast sunfish live?This species can be found in the lakes and rivers of the Atlantic Ocean, west Texas, Louisiana, central Florida, and northern Florida. However, they are native to the rivers of Canada and the United States.What is a redbreast sunfish’s habitat?This is a freshwater fish. Their habitat consists of lakes, backwaters of streams, rivers, pools, and upstream reaches of reservoirs. More precisely, they prefer the quiet and vegetated areas of the river body.Who do redbreast sunfish live with?It is not known whether this fish lives in schools or prefers to wander alone.How long does a redbreast sunfish live?Redbreasts, also known as red-breasted bream, have a lifespan of seven years. However, this is more common for males compared to females.How do they reproduce?The spawning season of redbreast sunfish starts in May and lasts until August. Water temperatures play an important role in their spawning. Ideal water temperatures fall somewhere between 68-82 F (20-28 C). Their most preferable spawning ground is sand gravel in shallow water. During the spawning season, male sunfish build the nest for female sunfish. Sometimes they even use an abandoned nest. Once it is made, female sunfish enter the nest and lay eggs. Depending on the age of the female, a single clutch can have 1000 to 10,000 eggs. Soon after laying the eggs, females leave the nest. In the absence of female sunfish, a male sunfish takes care of the eggs and even looks after the young sunfish after the hatching of the eggs.After this, both the male and female sunfish start moving towards deep water, leaving the shallow water river area behind. Both male and female fish of this species mate with several partners in their lifespan.What is their conservation status?According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the redbreast sunfish falls under the Least Concern category. Native to the rivers of the USA and Canada, the habitat of this fish also consists of lakes, rivers, backwater streams of the Atlantic Ocean, west Texas, Louisiana, central Florida, and northern Florida.Redbreast Sunfish Fun FactsWhat do Redbreast Sunfish look like?Like other sunfishes, a redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) is compressed or flattened laterally, but its body is longer than other sunfish. The body of a redbreast is olive-green or bluish in color, fading in females into a bright, orange-yellow belly. Both males and females have vertical rows with reddish-brown to orange spots on the sides of their bodies. These spots can also be seen at the edge of the tail or the body’s caudal fin. Typically, the caudal fin is orange-red. There is a long black lobe that stands out in the operculum or gill cover. A redbreast sunfish’s face or cheek area may contain blue lines.How cute are they?This is not a particularly cute-looking fish. Although they can be classified as colorful to some extent, their physical features do not qualify them as cute.How do they communicate?The exact communication method between this species is not known.How big is a redbreast sunfish?A redbreast sunfish can grow 8-12 in (20.3-30.5 cm) in length. Whereas the largest freshwater fish, beluga sturgeon, can grow up to 275.6 in (700 cm) in length. Compared to the longest freshwater fish, a redbreast sunfish is almost 22 times shorter in length.How fast can a redbreast sunfish swim?A redbreast sunfish can swim at a speed of 0.62 in/s (0.016 m/s).How much does a redbreast sunfish weigh?A sedbreast sunfish has a weight of 1-2 lb (0.4-0.9 kg).What are their male and female names of the species?There is no separate name for male and female fish of the redbreast sunfish species. Both the counterparts are known as redbreast sunfish.What would you call a baby redbreast sunfish?A baby redbreast fish does not have any particular name. It goes by the name of its parent species, which in this case is fish. A young redbreast sunfish can also be called a ‘fry’.What do they eat?Native to the rivers of the USA and Canada, this fish feeds upon aquatic insects, insect larvae, fish, terrestrial insects, mollusks, crayfish, snails, and clams. They are opportunistic feeders and compete with other fish living in these rivers, streams, and lakes. They also compete with other predatory fish living in the same habitat as theirs.Are they eaten by humans?A redbreast sunfish has a very delicious flavor and is easy to catch. Anything ranging from natural baits to artificial lures can be used when fishing for this fish. Aquatic insects, insect larvae, flies, and crickets are often used as natural baits. At the same time, topwater plugs and spinners are used as artificial lures. Redbreast sunfish are commonly caught in Florida.Did you know…Although redbreasts belong to the family of sunfishes, redbreasts are different to other sunfishes because of their anal fins. Their anal fins have a darker color around their roots and fade toward the tips.Are redbreast sunfish territorial?Redbreasts do not show any territorial characteristics naturally. Yet, during the spawning season, males become territorial to protect the nest from other fish.What are some other names for redbreast sunfish?Redbreast sunfish are also known as red-breasted bream and yellowbelly sunfish, mostly for their unique belly color.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish including cuttlefish, or clownfish.You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Redbreast sunfish coloring pages.

What type of animal is a redbreast sunfish?

Belonging to the family of sunfish (more precisely Centrarchidae), a redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), also known as red-breasted bream, is a freshwater fish.

Fun Redbreast Sunfish Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Aquatic insects, insect larvae, fish, terrestrial insects, mollusks, crayfish, snails, and clams

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 1000-10000

How much do they weigh? 1-2 lb (0.4-0.9 kg)

How long are they? 8-12 in (20.3-30.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive green, blueish green, and orange-red

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Non-native Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lakes, Rivers, Pools, And Upstream Reaches Of Reservoirs, Backwaters Of Streams

Locations And The United States, The Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Canada

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Lepomis

Class Actinopterygii

Family Centrarchidae

Fun Redbreast Sunfish Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Aquatic insects, insect larvae, fish, terrestrial insects, mollusks, crayfish, snails, and clams

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 1000-10000

How much do they weigh? 1-2 lb (0.4-0.9 kg)

How long are they? 8-12 in (20.3-30.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive green, blueish green, and orange-red

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Non-native Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lakes, Rivers, Pools, And Upstream Reaches Of Reservoirs, Backwaters Of Streams

Locations And The United States, The Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Canada

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Lepomis

Class Actinopterygii

Family Centrarchidae

Fun Redbreast Sunfish Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Aquatic insects, insect larvae, fish, terrestrial insects, mollusks, crayfish, snails, and clams

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 1000-10000

How much do they weigh? 1-2 lb (0.4-0.9 kg)

How long are they? 8-12 in (20.3-30.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive green, blueish green, and orange-red

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Non-native Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lakes, Rivers, Pools, And Upstream Reaches Of Reservoirs, Backwaters Of Streams

Locations And The United States, The Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Canada

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Lepomis

Class Actinopterygii

Family Centrarchidae