Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Also known asSunny · Kivver
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 300 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 35% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 2.50% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.70% of body weight
- Max density
- 25 g per litre
A 250 g adult eats about 6.3 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~63 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eu-general | restricted | Listed as invasive alien species in several EU member states; not on the EU-wide IAS list but individual countries restrict import and sale verified 2026-05-14 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow streams across eastern North America, from the Great Lakes south through the Appalachians and along the Atlantic coast. The species (Lepomis gibbosus) is a small, colorful sunfish with a deep, laterally compressed body marked by blue and orange vermiculations on the cheek and a distinctive orange-red spot on the ear flap. Adults reach 15–25 cm and 100–300 g. Pumpkinseed are found in shallow, weedy water with sand or gravel substrate. They feed on insects, snails, small crustaceans, and some plant material. The flesh is white, mild, and good eating, similar to bluegill. Pumpkinseed have been widely introduced outside their native range, particularly in Europe, where they're established in many countries and considered invasive in some.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 3–9 (winter low around -40°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A small panfish option for temperate aquaponics, similar to bluegill but with slightly slower growth and smaller maximum size. Optimal temperature is 20–25°C, with tolerance from 4–30°C. Growth: 100–200 g in 12-18 months on commercial sunfish pellet (32-36% protein). FCR is approximately 2.0-3.0, less efficient than bluegill or hybrid sunfish. Stocking density: 10-15 g/L. The main advantage of pumpkinseed over bluegill is geographic availability: in the northeastern US, eastern Canada, and parts of Europe (where the species has been introduced), pumpkinseed are more commonly available from local hatcheries, bait suppliers, and natural water bodies than bluegill. They're also one of the most colorful native sunfish, with blue and orange cheek markings that make them visually interesting in transparent-sided tanks. The species is extremely hardy and disease-resistant, tolerating a wide range of water conditions (pH 6.0-8.5, DO above 3 mg/L, moderate ammonia). Fingerlings are available from state hatcheries and bait shops across the eastern US and Canada. Legal in most states within the native range without special permits. The small harvest size (most fish are under 200 g) limits commercial viability; pumpkinseed are best suited for personal consumption in family-scale aquaponics. For operators wanting slightly larger individual fish, hybrid sunfish or bluegill are better choices.