Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis is a diminutive and attractively marked sunfish native to the central United States, particularly the Great Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, yet males in breeding condition are remarkably colourful — displaying bright orange spots scattered across olive-green flanks, vivid fin colouration, and a distinctive red-orange opercular spot edged in black.

In the aquarium, Orangespotted Sunfish are more manageable than their larger relatives, fitting comfortably in 150-litre tanks. They are active and curious, spending much of their time in mid-water or near rocky areas. A mixture of sand and fine gravel with scattered flat stones provides spawning substrate and territory markers.

Though semi-aggressive, they are less belligerent than Green Sunfish and can be kept with other similarly sized and similarly tempered North American natives. They thrive on a varied carnivorous diet of live and frozen invertebrates.

Water: 15–27 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, moderately hard water preferred. Tank: 150 L minimum; sand/gravel substrate, flat rocks, and minimal planting. Feeding: Live/frozen bloodworms, Daphnia, small earthworms; accepts small carnivore pellets. Breeding: Gravel nest builder; male guards clutch — reduce tankmate stress during this period. Compatibility: Can be kept with robust similarly sized natives; avoid tiny fish.