Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

Scientific name: Lepomis gibbosus Linnaeus, 1758

Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

The Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) is a freshwater fish of the family Centrarchidae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 in). It is moderate to keep and aggressive, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 285 L (75 US gal), water at 4–22°C (39–72°F) and a pH of 7.0–7.5. Native range: North America, New Brunswick in Canada to South Carolina in the USA.

Pumpkinseed care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Aggressive
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
10 cm (3.9 in)
Minimum tank
285 L (75 US gal)
Temperature
4–22°C (39–72°F)
pH
7.0–7.5
Hardness
10–15 dGH (178–268 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 28 - 30

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lepomis gibbosus
Family
Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
40.0
Common length
9.9
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
North America: New Brunswick in Canada to South Carolina in the USA; Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and upper Mississippi basins from Quebec and New York west to southeast Manitoba and North Dakota, and south to north Kentucky and Missouri. Widely introduced. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2; Fec=600-5000)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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