Centrarchidae

Centrarchidae is a family of freshwater ray-finned fishes in the order Perciformes, native to North America and comprising the sunfishes and black basses. Members are typically medium-sized, with laterally compressed bodies and a dorsal fin that includes spines along the front.

The family includes several well-known genera, notably Lepomis (bluegill, pumpkinseed, redear sunfish and relatives), Micropterus (largemouth and smallmouth bass), Pomoxis (black and white crappies), Ambloplites (rock bass), and Enneacanthus (banded sunfishes). They inhabit lakes, rivers, ponds, and backwaters across much of North America and parts of Central America. Centrarchids are often associated with warm, vegetated or structurally complex waters.

Centrarchids are typically omnivorous, feeding on zooplankton, invertebrates, and small fishes depending on life stage and habitat. They prefer warm waters and are commonly found in lentic (still) and slow-flowing lotic systems. Many species are opportunistic, taking advantage of seasonal food pulses, and some display marked foraging shifts as they grow.

Reproduction involves spring spawning with males constructing and guarding nests in shallow water. Eggs hatch into fry that are often guarded by the male for several days or longer, with parental care and nesting behaviors varying among species and environmental conditions. Spawning timing is influenced by temperature and geographic location.

Centrarchids are important for sport and recreational fisheries and have been widely introduced outside their native range, sometimes affecting local ecosystems. Conservation concerns for certain populations include habitat loss, water quality degradation, and overfishing, though many centrarchid species remain common and widely distributed.