Pumpkinseed

freshwater fish · colorful · sunfish family

Rainbow colored scales. Pumpkinseeds have bright orange, blue, and green colors on their bodies, which is how they got their sunny name. The males are even more colorful than the females, especially during breeding season.

Found in eastern North America. These fish live naturally only in ponds, streams, and lakes in the eastern part of North America. They like calm, weedy waters where they can hide and hunt for food.

Part of the sunfish family. Pumpkinseeds belong to a fish family called Centrarchidae, which includes other sunfish and bass. Despite their small size, they're related to larger, tougher fish like largemouth bass.

Tiny hunters. Pumpkinseeds eat small insects, tiny crustaceans, and other small creatures they find in the water. They use their small mouths to nibble on food near plants and rocks.

Small but mighty. Most pumpkinseeds grow to about 6 to 10 inches long, making them perfect for small ponds and home aquariums. They're small enough to fit in your hand but big enough to see clearly.