The next couple of weeks we will feature Iowa fish families
and species. We begin with the sunfish family. For more information about
sunfish, visit the DNR
website.
Twelve species of sunfishes inhabit Iowa waters. Because of
their diverse habits, sunfishes of one kind or another are found in every part
of the state. All sunfishes have at least one spine at the front part of the
dorsal fin, which is never completely separated from the rear portion. Their
bodies are deeply compressed laterally with pelvic fins nearly beneath the
pectoral fins. Members of the sunfish family are popular sport fish.
This fish has a very large mouth that, when closed, extends
past at the eye. The spiny and soft portions of the dorsal fin are almost
separated and the slender body is shaded green with a continuous dark stripe
along the side. The belly is light green to white. Largemouth bass reach
lengths up to 16 inches in their third year of life.
The largemouth is found statewide in weedy lakes, ponds, and
quiet rivers. It seldom is found deeper than 20 feet, preferring warmer water.
The largemouth usually deposits its eggs on roots of submerged plants or grass
over rocky or mud bottoms in water one and one-half to three feet deep. The
male usually builds a nest prior to spawning.
Largemouth eat mainly fish, crayfish, and large insects but
will eat most any animal in the water that it can swallow. It is active at
night.
Bluegill is the most abundant and widespread member of the
sunfish family in Iowa. It is found in nearly all waters of the state but is
far more abundant in lakes and ponds than is streams and rivers. It has a dark
back, yellow or reddish-orange belly, vertical bars along the sides, and a
bright blue chin and gill covers. Like other sunfish that live in still waters,
bluegill usually are located near weed beds where they can find both food and
hiding areas.
White bass
This fish has a deep body that is
flattened side to side, two dorsal fins, spines in the anal and dorsal fins,
and a spine on the gill cover. The body
is blue-gray on the back and silver on the sides. The dorsal, anal, and tail fins
are slate gray. The eyes are yellow. The sides have dark stripes, but they may
be hard to see. The first stripe below the lateral line (sensory organ on the side
of the fish) is not continuous; it has spaces between the dark sections. Teeth
are present on the back of the tongue.
White bass live in lakes, rivers,
and reservoirs, preferring those with a sand or rock bottom. It lives in schools
that hunt together. It feeds near the surface in the early morning and late
evening, eating fish and insects. Small fish sometimes may be seen jumping out
of the water to avoid being eaten by this predator. White bass seldom lives longer
than four years.
The black crappie is a deep-bodied
fish, flattened side to side. Its back is arched in front of the dorsal fin and
dips over the eye giving it a “hump-backed”appearance. It has a green back,
silver or white sides with black or green speckles, and a silver or white belly.
The anal fin is nearly as long as the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin has seven or
eight spines, differing from that of the white crappie that has six. The
dorsal, tail, and anal fins are heavily pigmented with black.
The black crappie lives in creeks,
rivers, lakes, and ponds. It prefers clear water with little or no current and
many hiding places like submerged logs and plants. It eats insects, small fish,
and crustaceans. It moves in groups around submerged objects and may be found
at depths of 15 feet or more but moves to shallow water to spawn.
Classroom Connections
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