Carolina pygmy sunfish (Elassoma boehlkei) fish species and information / pictures of Carolina pygmy sunfish - Elassoma boehlkei

Carolina pygmy sunfish (Elassoma boehlkei) fish species information

Scientific Name
Elassoma boehlkei

Common Name
Carolina pygmy sunfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 8. Mouth is terminal and upturned. Normally has 12-14 vertical bars along the body, alternating with iridescent interbars of approximately equal width. Sympatric species have head scales or humeral spots and ocular bars.

Classification

Classified By

Rohde & Arndt, 1987

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pygmy sunfishes (Elassomatiformes)

Family

Pygmy sunfishes (Elassomatidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Waccamaw and Santee River drainages in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA.

Range

35°N - 34°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 5.5 - 7.2 demersal

Trophic Level

3.5 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

3.3 cm

Common Length

2.1 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5234 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (13 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=1; tmax=1.5; Fec=76)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Lower Risk: near threatened (LR/nt)