Portal:Fish/Selected fish/6
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The pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) is a freshwater fish of the sunfish family. It is native to northeastern North America but has been introduced elsewhere in North America as well as throughout much of Europe.
These fish reach a maximum overall length of about 40 cm (16 in). The fish present an oval silhouette and are very narrow laterally; it is their body shape, resembling the seed of a pumpkin, which got them their common name. Pumpkinseeds prefer shallow water with some weed cover. They are often found in ponds and small lakes, preferring water temperatures of 4–22 °C (39–72 °F). They are active during the day and rest near the bottoms during the night. These fish reproduce rapidly and are low on the food chain. The pumpkinseed, like other sunfishes, is very popular among anglers, especially the young.
