Elassoma boehlkei

Elassoma boehlkei
Carolina Pygmy Sunfish – Elassoma boehlkei
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
Elassomatidae Elassoma boehlkeiRohde and Arndt 1987 Carolina Pygmy Sunfish 

Unique Characters: Usually 12 or 13 narrow dark bars on the sides. No postocular stripe or shoulder blotches. Scales absent on top of head. Endemic to North and South Carolina. In North Carolina it is restricted to the Waccamaw basin in Brunswick and Columbus counties.

Similar Species

Everglades Pygmy Sunfish
Elassoma evergladei

Banded Pygmy Sunfish
Elassoma zonatum

Elassoma evergladei
Everglades Pygmy Sunfish – Elassoma evergladei

Everglades Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma evergladei. No bars on sides except there may be some faint ones in the caudal peduncle region. Scales present on top of head.  

Elassoma zonatum
Banded Pygmy Sunfish – Elassoma zonatum

Banded Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma zonatum. Usually 9 wide, dark bars on the sides. Postocular stripe present and 1-3 shoulder blotches (often faint in life).

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