![]() ![]() Lagler, "An Analysis of Hybridization in a Population of Stunted Sunfishes in New York," Pap. Childlers, "Hybridization of Four Species of Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)," Bull. ![]() ![]() Adult females and young have dark chainlike bars on the sides. Males will show more blue iridescence in the median fins than females this blue iridescence is usually subtle, though on occasion a male specimen in breeding colors may almost appear to have longear-like amounts of blue iridescence in the median fins. The median fins (the dorsal, caudal and anal fins) usually have dusky (sometimes orange-like) mottling patterns. This blue color, if present at all, may or may not extend across the entirety of the upper lip. The pumpkinseed usually has some bright blue iridescent coloring on the upper lip. These streaks may be faded on some specimens, especially outside of breeding season. These blue streaking patterns usually start on the snout before the eye and extend across the cheek and operculum. ![]() Usually at least five or six wavy light blue/teal lines radiate laterally across the head. (Both pumpkinseed and redear may express gold-to-orange spots on the lower body and head.) Typically pumpkinseed will have orange to gold spots on the upper body, a good feature to examine when comparing against the redear sunfish, a species that will typically only have gray to brown spots on the upper body. Some specimens will have many spots and some will have few. KEY FEATURE: The pumpkinseed will typically have brown to gold to orange spots scattered on much of the body. Much yellow may exist on the body as well. The body is generally olive above fading down to a greenish/blue sheen to an orange belly. COLORATION: The pumpkinseed is one of the most vibrant and beautiful of the sunfishes, especially breeding males who take on brighter and more pronounced colors (though may be dulled in larger specimens.) ![]()
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