Banded sunfish
Kingdom
Phylum
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Enneacanthus obesus
Length
10
4
cminch
cm inch 

The banded sunfish (Enneacanthus obesus) is a freshwater fish of the family, Centrarchidae. They can grow to 2–3 inches long. They are native to North America.

Appearance

The banded sunfish is similar to the blackbanded sunfish and has a very compressed and deep body. Its sides are iridescent and dark colored. There are dark bands on its side and nuptial males and females will develop blue specks on their bodies. Its mouth is upturned and its pectoral and tail fins are rounded. It grows to an approximate length of 9.5 cm.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

The banded sunfish is found in the Atlantic coastal drainages of North America from southern Maine south to central Florida and along the Gulf slope as far west as the Perdido River drainage in Alabama.

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The banded sunfish is found in small ponds and backwaters of creeks to small and large rivers and boggy brooks over sand or mud in sluggish, acidic, heavily vegetated waters.

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Habits and Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

The banded sunfish feeds upon aquatic insects and microcrustacean.

Mating Habits

Spawning occurs from April through July. They can spawn when they become one year old. The male will construct a sand or gravel nest where the eggs are laid but does guard the eggs as the eggs are buoyant and float way from the nest.

Population

Population number

The banded sunfish is currently endangered in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Globally, however, its population is stable and is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

References

1. Banded sunfish Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banded_sunfish
2. Banded sunfish on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202442/15361644

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