By Koaw - November 2020 (Updated Nov. 2024)
Click to enlarge.
GENERAL: The Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis - (Rafinesque, 1820)) is a species within Lepomis that often causes difficulty during identifications—seriously, don’t feel bad if you’re having a hard time identifying this species. The Longear Sunfish has overlapping ranges with the Dollar Sunfish (L. marginatus) and the Northern Sunfish (L. peltastes), two fairly similarly related species, as well as range overlap with the Plains Longear Sunfish (L. aquilensis) and the Gulf Longear Sunfish (L. solis), two very similarly related species. These range overlaps, past and present, have specimens that are often not ‘pure species’ because of introgression and hybridization (terms for gene swapping), making exact identification near impossible. (See range maps below for a better visualization.) (This page is adopting AFS capitilization rules for common names; other pages will soon follow.)
BEST WAYS TO ID LONGEAR: 1) Comparing the location of your specimen against the range map. 2) An ear flap (that likely will be elongated) with pale edging that may have some red/purple/orange but lacking a distinct opaque colored spot like is seen on Lepomis peltastes (Northern Sunfish) and Lepomis gibbosus (Pumpkinseed). 3) An upper lip that has blue streaking across its entirety. 4) A count of the pectoral rays in the pectoral fin, of which, is normally 14, rarely 13 or 15. 5) Blue spots on the body.
ID MUST: Know the range by looking at the maps (below). The Longear Sunfish Complex has an extensive range with genetically admixed specimens. The high variance in physical features and overall similarity of those expressed features makes identification tricky just based off of how the fish appears.
The Longear Sunfish has been in taxonomic dispute for well over 100 years and remains as such regarding the possibilities of further breaking the species into separate species or subspecies. Recently, a 2022 study suggested that the Longear Sunfish Complex composed of 6 distinct lineages (Kim et al., 2022). Two of which were already accepted as species (Longear Sunfish and Northern Sunfish) while the other 4 (L. solis, L. aquilensis, L. Ouachita, and L. ozark) were suggested to receive elevated status to the species-level. In 2023, only 2 of these suggestions were accepted as new species by taxonomic authorities in North America: the Plains Longear Sunfish (L. aquilensis) and the Gulf Longear Sunfish (L. solis) (Fricke et al., 2024; Page et al., 2023). These two species had already been described as species long ago, and elevating them back to species-status was likely more justifiable (Baird & Girard, 1853; Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1831).
This is a KNFS video on YouTube discussing the accepted splitting of two species away from Longear Sunfish.
BODY: The body is similar to other lepomids where the Longear Sunfish has a deep and compressed body that is shaped somewhat like a disc. There is a good deal of variation within the species, where some specimens may seem very elongated while others very round. The lateral line is complete with 32-46 lateral scales.
COLORATION: The Longear Sunfish is a gorgeous species. Adult breeding males are the most vibrant in coloration with the bright blue spotting on the sides, a dark red top, an orange bottom, dark pelvic fins and a bright red eye (Page & Burr, 2011). Other mature specimens often have a red top with an orange bottom but with less vibrancy while some specimens retain a dark olive topside. Blue, red and orange is common in the mostly clear median fins with iridescent green/blue flecks.
Blue streaking across the entirety of the upper lip is common on most specimens. On Lepomis cyanellus (Green Sunfish) and Lepomis marginatus (Dollar Sunfish), blue on the lips is usually present but rarely streaking across the entirety of the upper lip.
Young Longear Sunfish are drabber in color, typically olive-colored dorsally with yellow flecks and a white belly with less noticeable blue/green spotting.
SIZE: To 24.0 cm (9.5 in) (Page & Burr, 2011).
As of October 2024, the listed IGFA All-Tackle World Record for Lepomis megalotis is 0.79 kg (1 lb 12 oz), however, this is actually a Plains Longear Sunfish (Lepomis aquilensis), as this specimen was caught in New Mexico (IGFA, 2024); the recent splitting of the Longear Sunfish Complex has caused this discrepancy.
OPERCULAR FLAP: The opercular flap, more commonly referred to as the “ear flap”, will usually be elongated. Smaller specimens, and even some adult specimens, will not have an elongated ear flap. Adult males have the longest opercular flaps, of which, may seem absurdly large on some specimens. Typically, the blue streaking from the operculum extends to the anterior edges of the opercular flap; the rest of the edging will mostly be whitish. However, many populations have a faint purple/orange/reddish color mixed into the pale white edging; this purple/orange/red will not form into a distinct opaque spot such as is seen on Lepomis peltastes (Northern Sunfish) or Lepomis gibbosus (Pumpkinseed).*
*If a fragment of an opaque red spot has appeared, more than likely this specimen has admixed genetics with a Northern Sunfish, or some other lepomid, because of a past secondary contact or a recent hybridization event. See the map below to see where Northern Sunfish/Longear Sunfish are likely to have genetically admixed populations.
The ear flap, on average, is the longest of all the other similar Longear Sunfish Complex members here listed from longest to shortest on average: Longear, Gulf Longear, Plains Longear, and Northern (Kim et al., 2022). However, confirming an ID by comparing the lengths of ear flaps between these similar species is not suggested because of the high amount of overlap in sizes.
Also keep in mind that Common Sunfishes have the ability to change colors quickly. I have seen the edging on ear flaps change from a pale mix of colors to white in very little time. Color may also seem different depending on your angle of view, the source of light and the area on the fish under examination.
GILL RAKERS: The gill rakers on the first gill arch are very short and thick. These are easily seen by lifting the gill cover and looking at the white portion above the red filaments on the gill arch closest to the gill cover.
I made a video describing how to locate and find these rakers that is hosted on Koaw Nature’s Fishing Smarts YouTube channel.
MOUTH SIZE:Page & Burr suggest the mouth of the Longear Sunfish is fairly large and extending under the eye’s pupil. However, there seems to be significant variance between descriptions of mouth size and upper jaw extension in varying texts and guides which may be a result from researchers examining populations in different regions and/or the improper identification of longear in past studies; (see below in “Location”).
Often the mouth itself is not too large and the upper jaw bone does not extend that far back. I will classify the mouth as moderately-sized as the posterior edge of the maxilla will often either extend somewhat under the anterior portion of the eye’s pupil or nearing the pupil’s anterior edge, occasionally extending under the eye’s pupil.
In most cases, the mouth is bigger than that of Lepomis gibbosus (pumpkinseed) but smaller than that of Lepomis cyanellus (green sunfish).
PECTORAL FIN: The pectoral fin is moderately-sized where, if bent forward, this fin extends near the anterior portion of the eye; the pectoral fin may extend slightly past the eye, right under the edge of the eye or just behind. The pectoral fin is generally shorter than that of Pumpkinseed, generally slightly shorter than Plains Longear Sunfish, and most often longer than that of Green Sunfish.
Typically the pectoral fin will have 14 pectoral rays, rarely 13 or 15; (see the image below.) This is a good feature to examine when distinguishing between the similar Lepomis marginatus (dollar sunfish) and Lepomis peltastes (northern sunfish), both of which tend to have 12 pectoral rays. (Examining pectoral fin rays alone is not a definitive ID feature—use with other ID features.)
Counting rays can be tricky. It’s best to hold the fish and press your thumb on the pectoral fin to spread out the rays. Keep in mind that the most anterior and dorsal rays may be very short but still count.
HABITAT: The Longear Sunfish is often found in the pools of creeks and rivers, preferring rocky or sandy bottoms. Also found in clear streams of uplands.(Page & Burr, 2011) Find them under structure like fallen trees and also near vegetation.
Longear also may be found in small impoundments and larger still-body waters such as lakes and reservoirs.
CLICK TO ENLARGE - This distribution map is an illustrated approximation created by Koaw primarily pulling data and information from USGS-NAS, Research Grade observations from iNaturalist, Kim et al., 2022, Page & Burr’s Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes.
LOCATION: After the recent splitting of the Longear Sunfish Complex, the Longear Sunfish has a smaller listed range. This fish is found in most of the Ohio River Basin and Lower Mississippi Basin, parts of the Mid-Atlantic Basin, Arkansas White-Red Basin, and Tennessee River Basin with some extension into the South Atlantic-Gulf Basin (Kim et al., 2022; Page & Burr, 2011; USGS, 2024).
This species has also been introduced to various places around the United States, mostly adjacent to the native range. In North Carolina, it was long believed that the Longear Sunfish had been present as a native species. A new study found that it is highly unlikely that North Carolina ever had any indigenous populations of the Longear Sunfish. Previous ichthyologists, going back at least 150 years, had incorrectly identified Redbreast and Dollar Sunfishes (mostly) as the Longear species (Tracy et al., 2020).
Click to enlarge. X’s currently only placed on known Longear Sunfish range.
NORTHERN-LONGEAR ADMIXED POPULATIONS: Populations that exist within the Potomac River (Maryland, Virginia and D.C.) within the Mid-Atlantic Basin are genetically admixed with the Northern Sunfish (Kim et al., 2022). In fact, most all Longear Sunfish found in the northern range of the Ohio River Basin have high likelihood of admixed genes.
Keep in mind that this map is not complete and represents an approximation of the most apparent genetic admixing within the Longear Sunfish Complex while excluding most all Longear/Northern admixed populations.
LONGEAR-PLAINS LONGER & LONGEAR-GULF LONGEAR ADMIXED POPULATIONS: The range overlap regions of Longear-Plains Longear/Longear-Gulf Longear will, with high certainty, yield introgressed/hybridized specimens because of past secondary contact where gene swapping occurred and/or more recent hybridization events. The range overlap region provided is approximate, not exact. The full extent of the genetically admixed ranged has not been completely investigated (nor do I image it will be due to how expensive that would be.)
The anomalous MPA point in the central range exists in Clover Creek near Medon, TN and represents a genetic admixture of primarily Plains Longear and Northern, with some Longear. The northeast MS points represent populations that are strongly admixed by both Longear and Gulf Longear. In the western range, it appears that many Longear and Plains Longear populations exist together with limited gene swapping, although some populations exhibit strong admixture within the Arkansas-White-Red River Drainage, such as within Lukfata Creek, OK (Kim et al., 2022).
LOCATION NOTE: The USGS Nonnative Aquatic Species monitoring map showed a handful of sightings of Lepomis megalotis in Minnesota, Wisconsin & South Dakota between 1982 and 2011 (USGS, 2024); I’ve not included these sightings in my map as I believe these may have been sightings of the Northern Sunfish (Lepomis peltastes) of which was once described both as a synonym and a subspecies of the Longear Sunfish. Evidence is minimal that Longear genes made it that far north.
FISHING: The Longear acts quite similar to other sunfishes but with a bit more timidity. I had success fishing the introduced population along the Potomac River with bloodworms and small bead-head flies. There’s no need to use a hook smaller than size 10 unless going after smaller specimens. Live worms cut into bits tended to work better than artificial lures, which also held true while I was fishing populations in Illinois.
A tactic that works well is finding fallen structure (like a fallen tree) and letting the bait start upriver or upstream alongside that structure. Then let the bait sink and go down current along that structure. Do these passes a few times at each spot. Longear might not hit the bait the first couple of times but tend to eventually give it a taste.
Small crankbaits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits will also entice large Longear to hit. That’s a size 6 mosquito hook in the image with a live ‘big red worm’ split in half.
SIMILAR SPECIES:
REFERENCES:
Baird, S. F., & Girard, C. H. (1853). Descriptions of new species of fishes collected by Mr. John H. Clark, on the US and Mexican Boundary Survey, under Lt. Col. Jas. D. Graham. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 6, 387–390.
Cuvier, G., & Valenciennes, A. (1831). Histoire naturelle des poissons. Tome septième. Livre septième. Des Squamipennes. Livre huitième. Des poissons à pharyngiens labyrinthiformes. Vol. 7. Histoire Naturelle Des Poissons, 441–531.
Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N., & van der Laan, R. (n.d.). ESCHMEYER’S CATALOG OF FISHES: GENERA, SPECIES, REFERENCES. [Dataset]. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
IGFA. (n.d.). IGFA World Records Database Search. The International Game Fish Association. Retrieved October 26, 2024, from https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/search
iNaturalist. (2020). Lepomis megalotis Longear Sunfish. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/58635-Lepomis-megalotis
Kim, D., Bauer, B. H., & Near, T. J. (2022). Introgression and Species Delimitation in the Longear Sunfish Lepomis megalotis (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Centrarchidae). Systematic Biology, 71(2), 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syab029
Page, L. M., Bemis, K. E., Dowling, T. E., Espinosa-Pérez, H., Findley, L. T., Gilbert, C. R., Hartel, K. E., Lea, R. N., Mandrak, N. E., Neighbors, M. A., Schmitter-Soto, J. J., & Walker, H. J. Jr. (2023). Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico (8th Edition). American Fisheries Society.
Page, L. M., & Burr, B. M. (2011). Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Rafinesque, C. S. (1820). Ichthyologia Ohiensis: Or, Natural history of the fishes inhabiting the river Ohio and its tributary streams, preceded by a physical description of the Ohio and its branches. https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122376/records/647472bc2d3f560f80ab2341
Tracy, B. H., Rohde, F. C., & Hogue, G. M. (2020). “Ghost Sightings” Made by Ichthyologists Past: Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis, in North Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist, 19(2), 297–307. https://doi.org/10.1656/058.019.0209
USGS. (2024). USGS-NAS Animated Map Lepomis megalotis. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesAnimatedMap.aspx?SpeciesID=388