name: Pumpkinseed Sunfish
flavor_db_name_variants: pumpkinseed sunfish
source: foodb
status: draft
food_db_id: Pumpkinseed sunfish
id: 486
name_scientific: Lepomis gibbosus
description: The pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) is a freshwater fish of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. It is also referred to as pond perch, common sunfish, punkys, sunfish, and sunny. Pumpkinseeds typically are 6-8 inches in length, but can grow up to 10 inches. They typically weigh less than 1 pound, with the world record being 1 pound 6 ounces. They are orange, green, yellow or blue in color, with speckles over their sides and back and a yellow-orange breast and belly. The coloration of the ctenoid scales of the pumpkinseed is one of the most vibrant of any freshwater fish and can range from an olive-green or brown to bright orange and blue. The sides are covered with vertical bars that are a faint green or blue, which are typically more prevalent in female pumpkinseeds. Orange spots may cover the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins and the cheeks have blue lines across them. The pumpkinseed is noted for the orange-red spot on the margin of its black gill cover. The pectoral fins of a pumpkinseed can be amber or clear, while the dorsal spines are black. Pumpkinseeds have a small body that is shaped much like that of a pumpkinseed, giving them their common name. They have a small mouth with an upper jaw stopping right under the eye.
itis_id: 168144
wikipedia_id: Pumpkinseed
picture_file_name: 497.jpg
picture_content_type: image/jpeg
picture_file_size: 181189
picture_updated_at: 2012-04-20T09:35:57.000Z
legacy_id: 524
food_group: Aquatic foods
food_subgroup: Fishes
food_type: Type 1
created_at: 2011-02-09T00:37:45.000Z
updated_at: 2019-05-14T18:05:26.000Z
creator_id: null
updater_id: null
export_to_afcdb: false
category: specific
ncbi_taxonomy_id: 270329
export_to_foodb: true
public_id: FOOD00486