Fish o' the Day - banded pygmy sunfish

These little guys, Elassoma zonatum, are one of six species (all in the genus Elassoma) in the Family Elassosomatidae. Contrary to what their common name suggests, they are not true sunfish (Family Centrarchidae). They have cycloid scales, and no lateral line. While some of the pygmy sunfish reach lengths of 3 inches or so, E. zonatum tops out at around 1 1/2 inches. They're pretty distinctive (the males, at least) with their pronounced vertical bands separated by yellowish gaps. We usually find them in swampy areas, often backwaters off streams. There's a particular beaver pond we sample that's loaded with them. They like a lot of vegetation - in fact, that's where they deposit their eggs. They feed on small inverts, and will adapt to dried prepared food. In fact, they do pretty well in aquaria.

We usually find them in swampy areas with little or no current, often backwaters off of streams. There's one particular beaver pond that we sample that's loaded with them, and they can be collected by seining in the littoral vegetation. It takes a trained eye to see them, though - they're that small.