In Colorado, it is found only in the South Platte basin and perhaps the
Republican River basin.
This small sunfish is distributed throughout the Mississippi River Valley and Gulf coast rivers of
the United States.
In Colorado, it is found only in the South Platte basin and perhaps the
Republican River basin.
This species typically inhabits quiet pools of larger rivers but is also
occasionally found in lakes and ponds.
During spring and summer, orangespotted sunfish guard spawning nests which are built over sand and gravel substrates.
Aquatic insects are thought to be the
primary food of this little-studied species.
Maximum Length: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm).
