Spring Pygmy Sunfish

Breeding males are very dark with iridescent blue-green bars on their sides, iridescent mottling on the lower side of the head and clear windows in predominately dark dorsal and anal fins. Females are brown on the back with mottled brown sides and cream to white on the belly.

The spring pygmy sunfish is a diminutive species reaching a maximum standard length, that includes the distance from tip of snout to the end of the last vertebrae, of 0.96 inches (24.5 mm).

Spawning begins in March and April at water temperatures of 57.2 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 20 degrees Celsius). Females produce approximately 65 eggs, and hatching generally occurs from April to September. The spring pygmy sunfish is an opportunistic breeders and has been observed spawning when water quality and temperature conditions are within range, which can occur between January and October.

Pygmy sunfish species generally stalk invertebrate prey such as Daphnia, amphipods, midge larvae and small snails by using the dense aquatic vegetation within the spring system to conceal their foraging activity, as documented by S.J. Walsh and R.M. Burr in 1984.  

The spring pygmy sunfish is found in spring pools and spring runs. The species typically occurs in calm, clear water with abundant aquatic vegetation.