Bluegill

Description

The bluegill is a deep, disc-shaped sunfish of the family Centrarchidae reaching about 41 cm, though usually smaller. The laterally compressed body has faint dark cross-bars, a blue-green sheen and a conspicuous black flap on the gill cover; adults often have an orange breast. The species is native to eastern and central North America and lives in slow-flowing rivers, lakes and ponds with abundant water plants. It eats insect larvae, small crustaceans, snails and fish eggs. In late spring the male sweeps a nest pit and guards the eggs and young. As a sport fish it has been introduced into parts of Europe, where it becomes locally invasive and competes with native fish.