Species: Redspotted Sunfish (Lepomis miniatus) Location: New Braunfels, Texas Date: August 25, 2018 I was infatuated with Redspotted Sunfish before I’d ever seen one in person. It was during 2018 that my #SpeciesQuest really came alive. Though my first road trip had come the prior summer, I only had a few days in transit to…
Species: Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) Location: Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Texas Date: August 14, 2018 These fish are so awesome that I already wrote a story saying how awesome they are. But since you’re here, you might as well look as all of the phenotypes of this gorgeous fish I’ve caught. Read the original story by…
Species: Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) Location: Buffalo, New York Date: July 18, 2018 People always look to be exceptional. They long for that place where they stick out, are the exception to the rule. Alas, I’m no different. My first Rock Bass, pictured above, was obviously a Rock Bass. I caught it in a park-like slough…
Species: Dimerus Cichlid (Cichlasoma dimerus) Location: Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 “Dimerus Cichlid” is the currently-accepted common name for Cichlasoma dimerus. It looks different from Black Acara at first glance, but it’s hard to place. Here are the key distinguising features: 1) It isn’t as dark. 2) The fins don’t flow or flutter out as much. 3)…
Species: Jack Dempsey Cichlid (Rocio octofasciata) Location: Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 The Jack Dempsey Cichlid was one of a few “longshots” I had on my Target List for my visit to Orlando. I knew they’d been recorded, but based on my research, only in scattered pockets, isolated ponds, and the like. In fact, their range…
Species: Black Acara (Cichlasoma bimaculatum) Location: Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 I was told these would be easy to catch. Once I found them, that proved true. Unfortunately, I struck out several times before finding the sweet spot. Alas, it was worth the wait. When I did find them, I also found half a dozen other…
Species: Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) Location: Little Wekiva River, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 Though I was born and raised in Oregon, I’m a flip-flop man. I would’ve said I’m a thong man, but some of my students read this blog, and this isn’t the 90s anymore; “thongs” don’t have anything to do with feet these days….
Species: Seminole Killifish (Fundulus seminolis) Location: Urban Park, Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 My first killifish would prove to be one of the largest found in North America, but in order to catch it, I had to do some legwork. I was told they could be found all over Orlando, and though I ended up catching…
Species: Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus) Location: Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, Orlando, FL Date: July 7, 2018 You don’t need to go to McDonald’s to find the Dollar Menu because Dollar Sunfish are on the menu for damn near every fish in the Southeastern United States. In Florida, this means bass and gar and Bowfin, as well as…
Species: Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Location: Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 This story is part of a larger story involving me, a bold cockroach, disappointment, and elusive Grass Carp. Since I’m going to retell much of this story in the subsequent post about Species #111 — Grass Carp, I’ll just focus on the tilapia here. ***…
