pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
A North American sunfish introduced to Brazil, where it is exotic and considered a potential pest. It eats small fish and fish eggs, and is not a welcome catch.
Also called: peixe-sol-abóbora, perca-sol, pumpkinseed
- maximum
- 40 cm
- record/max.
- 0.6 kg
- depth
- 0–41 m
who is the pumpkinseed
The pumpkinseed is a fish of the family Centrarchidae, with a short, deep body. Reaches 40 centimeters and up to 630 grams, and can live up to 12 years. It is native to North America and has been introduced to several countries, including Brazil, where it is an exotic species. Several countries report negative ecological impacts after its introduction. It lives in lakes and ponds with vegetation and in backwaters of small streams and rivers, from 0 to 41 meters deep, and avoids strong current. It eats small fish, other vertebrates and fish eggs. In fishing, it is considered an unwanted catch.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the pumpkinseed; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- The male guards the eggs for about 7 days and the young for up to 11 days after hatching.
identification
A short, deep body, compressed from side to side, like the other sunfishes (Centrarchidae). Reaches 40 centimeters. Adults rarely form schools and stay in pairs or in groups of three or four, while juveniles form much larger schools. It lives in vegetated lakes and in backwaters of streams, where it was introduced.
Loading the next 7 days…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Native to North America and introduced to several countries, including Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Guatemala and Venezuela. In Brazil there are records in Minas Gerais (headwaters of the Doce River) and in the Federal District.
Habitat: Lakes and ponds with vegetation and backwaters of small streams and rivers, from 0 to 41 meters deep, also in estuaries.
introduced in
rules for the pumpkinseed
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
The spines of the dorsal and anal fins can prick: hold it firmly by the body, with a wet hand. Because it is exotic in Brazil, do not transport it or release it into other waters.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01148, b = 3.11; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Lepomis gibbosus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Lepomis gibbosusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
