Lepomis marginatus

Lepomis marginatus
Dollar Sunfish – Lepomis marginatus
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CentrarchidaeLepomis marginatus(Holbrook)1855Dollar Sunfish

Lepomis marginatus

Unique Characters: Wavy blue lines on cheek and opercle. Short and upward slanted ear flap margined with green-white. Numerous blue-green scales on the sides. Often a red streak along the lateral line. Gill rakers reduced to knobs. Small adult size.

Dollar Sunfish - Lepomis marginatus
Dollar Sunfish – Lepomis marginatus gill rakers

Similar Species: Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus. Very long, narrow ear flap; black to the rear edge and bordered anteriorly by blue line. Blue spots on side absent. Gill rakers long.

Lepomis auritus
Redbreast Sunfish – Lepomis auritus

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