Centrarchidae, better known as sunfishes, is a family of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the order Perciformes, native only to North America. There are eight universally included genera within the centrarchid family: Lepomis, Micropterus, Pomoxis (crappies), Enneacanthus, Centrarchus, Archoplites, Ambloplites, and Acantharchus. A genetic study in 2012 suggests that the highly distinct pygmy sunfishes of the genus Elassoma are also centrarchids.
Image: Centrarchus macropterus (1)
Image: Centrarchidae Native Range
smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Centrarchidae Native Range
Freshwater fish are fish species that spend some or all of their lives in bodies of fresh water such as rivers, lakes and inland wetlands, where the salinity is less than 1.05%. These environments differ from marine habitats in many ways, especially the difference in levels of osmolarity. To survive in fresh water, fish need a range of physiological adaptations.
Tench are common freshwater fish throughout temperate Eurasia.
Sturgeon are found both in anadromous and fresh water stationary forms
The critically endangered Mekong giant catfish
Dams can create issues for freshwater habitats.