Search Field Guide
Advanced Search
Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Pumpkinseed - Lepomis gibbosus

  • Pumpkinseed Color Plate
  • Pumpkinseed Black-and-White Plate
  • Pumpkinseed Photograph
  • Pumpkinseed Outline
Google for more images Google for web pages
Image Copyright and Usage Information
Exotic Species (not native to Montana)

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: SNA

Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:
FWP Conservation Tier: 4


  

External Links

 
General Description
The pumpkinseed is Montana's most widespread small sunfish, but like the others it has been introduced. Pumpkinseeds were first found here in 1910 in sloughs near Kalispell and now are found nearly statewide except for southwestern Montana. Pumpkinseeds are beautiful little fish, and in their preferred habitat of clear ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation they can grow up to 1 pound and provide some fun fishing. However, most populations are stunted. The pumpkinseed is another example of a fish which has become widespread through illegal introduction.

Diagnostic Characteristics
Gill rakers short and stubby.

Species Range
Montana Range

Click the legend blocks above to view individual ranges.
 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 1331

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Ponds, small lakes, some large lakes, and slow streams. Prefers quite, clear water with an abundance of aquatic vegetation submerged brush.

Food Habits
Mostly snails and aquatic insects; but almost any organism of suitable size is eaten on occasion.

Ecology
May cross with bluegill and green sunfish but no hybrids reported in Montana.

Reproductive Characteristics
Sexually mature in 2-3 years. Spawns late spring-early summer.

References
Login Logout
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Want to put the field guide on your site?

Take us with you!

"Right click and save" to download an offline version of our field guide. (updated 9/19/2013)

Mammals17 MB
Birds51 MB
Reptiles3 MB
Amphibians3 MB
Fish12 MB
Invertebrates61 MB
Ferns and allies7 MB
Conifers2 MB
Flowering Plants (Dicots)111 MB
Flowering Plants (Monocots)32 MB
Bryophytes5 MB
Lichens4 MB
Ecological Systems69 MB
Noxious Weeds2 MB

Citation for data on this website:
Pumpkinseed — Lepomis gibbosus.  Montana Field Guide.  Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Retrieved on March 1, 2015, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AFCQB11030
 
There are currently 9 active users in the Montana Field Guide.