Bluegill are a widespread fish in North American freshwater environments, often encountered by anglers and nature enthusiasts. A common question arises regarding their classification: whether bluegill are considered a type of sunfish.
Understanding the Sunfish Family
The term “sunfish” refers to the biological family of freshwater ray-finned fish known scientifically as Centrarchidae. This family is native only to North America and includes approximately 38 identified species. Centrarchidae members share physical characteristics, such as a deep, flattened body shape. They possess two broadly joined dorsal fins, with the anterior portion being spiny and the posterior portion soft-rayed.
Sunfish have thoracic pelvic fins and three to eight anal spines. Most species are found in warm, shallow freshwater habitats and are known for building nests and guarding their young.
Bluegill’s Place in the Family
The bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a member of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae. It belongs to the genus Lepomis, which encompasses the “true sunfishes.” Bluegill exhibit traits of the sunfish family, including their deep, flattened body. A distinctive feature is the dark spot on the rear of its gill cover. They also have a small mouth, a trait common among Lepomis species.
Bluegill coloration varies, often displaying deep blue and purple hues on their face and gill cover, which gives them their name. Their sides are commonly olive-colored with dark vertical bars, and their belly can range from yellow to fiery orange. Bluegill reach lengths of 4 to 12 inches. They are omnivorous, consuming small aquatic insects and invertebrates, often feeding near the surface or in vegetated areas. Bluegill are adaptable and found in diverse freshwater environments, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands.
Diverse Relatives of the Bluegill
The Centrarchidae family is diverse, and bluegill is one of its well-known members. The black basses, such as the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), are also part of this family, despite their common name. These species have a more streamlined body shape and larger mouths compared to other sunfish. Crappies, including the black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), are another group within Centrarchidae, known for their silvery, deep bodies.
Other common sunfish species, like the green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), also belong to the same genus as the bluegill. Green sunfish have a more elongated body and distinct yellow-tipped fins. Pumpkinseed are known for their vibrant, speckled patterns and a crimson spot on the rear edge of their opercular flap.