In Wyoming, where it has been introduced, this species is the most common and widely distributed sunfish. Green sunfish thrive in small ponds, reservoirs, and slow-moving streams. Reproduction follows the same patterns as those of the other sunfish and is quite similar to that of the black basses. Green sunfish begin spawning in the early summer when water temperatures reach sixty degrees Fahrenheit. The male green sunfish constructs the nest in shallow water, then guards the nest and newly hatched fry after spawning. Food of the green sunfish includes aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans, and small fish.
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