Redear Sunfish

Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) are members of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae. Native to waterways of the Southeastern United States, they have been widely introduced to areas beyond their native range. This species is typically found in freshwater ponds, swamps, lakes, and vegetated pools. They are named for the red spot on the tip of the hind end of the gill flap. First introduced in California in the 1950s as forage fish (food) for bass and other gamefish, the redear sunfish has since become one of the most abundant species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta where it competes with native species for resources including food and habitat. Though historically considered a single species, evidence suggests that the redear sunfish may comprise two subspecies, with one native to Florida, Georgia, and southern Alabama. However, interbreeding between these two subspecies has rendered them indistinguishable from one another. They are molluscivorous, feeding on hard-shelled prey such as snails and mussels. Their thick pharyngeal teeth allow them to consume invasive mussel species and potentially help control snail populations. 

Fun Fact: The fossil record shows that redear sunfish have existed for at least 16.3 million years.