The sunfish is a freshwater fish species and the following is a detailed description of it:

1. Classification and name origin:

The sunfish belongs to the genus Sunfish in the family Sunfish of the order Perciformes.

It is named sunfish because its body is round and its color is bright like the blazing sun.

2.Morphological characteristics:

Strong body, small head and high back, arched round back, straight abdomen, similar to oval shape in side view.

The edge of the gill cover bone protrudes, and there is a blue-black ear-like soft membrane.

The back and edges are olive to blue-green, with dark lines on the sides of the body; the lower part of the body is blue-green; and there are iridescent blue and green spots on the edges of the head.

Mature males are more brightly colored than females.

3. Distribution range:

Native to North America, from Ontario, Canada, southern Quebec to the Great Lakes system of the United States and the southern states of the United States and northern Mexico, rivers, lakes and other waters are distributed.

Currently, it also occurs in Sichuan and other places in China, but the number is not huge.

4. Habitat:

Often inhabits still pools of slow-moving streams, lakes and ponds.

5. Habitat:

It is a warm-water small-bodied fish, with a wide range of growth temperature, can live in 1~38℃ water temperature, and the water temperature of 2℃ can still be safely overwintered in the natural environment.

It mainly feeds on zooplankton and aquatic insects, but also eats aquatic plants, small fish and small mollusks.

6. Breeding mode:

Breeding season is from March to October, belonging to the fish with multiple spawning.

Lifespan is 5-6 years.

7. Food value and breeding benefits:

Sunfish has some food value, with few spines and tender meat, especially the most tender meat on the back and belly of the fish, which is suitable for daily cooking.

At present, there are special full-price feeds for sunfish for aquaculture, and the economic benefits are quite considerable.

8. Circulation:

The circulation of sunfish is divided into three categories: general fresh market circulation, distribution of community fresh fish with "three removals" (scales, gills and viscera removed) and export of processed fish fillets.

In summary, the sunfish is a freshwater fish with unique morphological characteristics and ecological habits, which is widely distributed, has strong adaptability and high economic value, and is one of the favorite ingredients.