BANTAM SUNFISH Lepomis symmetricus



Two photos of 3" specimen collected in swamp adjacent to C.R. 2185, approximately 2 miles South of Jct. C.R. 2184, Liberty County


1.5" specimen collected in tributary of Devil's Bayou, C.R. 2185, 1/2 mile South of Jct. C.R. 2184, Liberty County


2.25" specimen collected in tributary of Devil's Bayou, C.R. 2185, 1/2 mile South of Jct. C.R. 2184, Liberty County


1.5" specimen collected 1.0 mile south Jct. cr 185 on Rt. 3090, Grimes County


1.5" specimen collected 1.0 mile south Jct. cr 185 on Rt. 3090, Grimes County

I have collected only a handful of Bantam Sunfish in this area, although this may be due to concentrating my collecting efforts in areas not ideal for them. They prefer areas of quiet water with heavy vegetation. My best collecting day ever for this species was spent the Devil's Bayou area of northern Liberty County. In all I collected six individuals. The water in the area appears to be acidic and tea colored from the presence of tannins. One of the areas habitats was a very shallow, low-flow, heavily shaded bayou with moderate amounts of submerged vegetation. Another habitat in the area was an extensive cypress swamp with sunny exposure and large amounts of submergent vegetation, including bladderwort which is an indicator of acidic conditions. All Bantam Sunfish were collected by dipnetting vegetation in these areas.

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© Dan Johnson 2006