Flier

At a glance

Flier (Centrarchus macropterus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.

Confirmed by 1,121 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

• The Flier has 11–13 dorsal spines, more than any other North American sunfish.
• Rarely exceeds 8 inches or 1 pound, making it one of the smallest centrarchids.
• Found in heavily vegetated swamps and backwaters across the southeastern United States.
• Males guard the nest after spawning, fanning eggs to keep them oxygenated.

Where Flier are seen

• Florida299 iNat obs
• North Carolina145 iNat obs
• Virginia108 iNat obs
• Georgia99 iNat obs
• South Carolina78 iNat obs
• Texas67 iNat obs

Jurisdictions with rules for Flier

• VirginiaUnited States · official source

Background

The flier (Centrarchus macropterus) is a sunfish (family Centrarchidae) native to muddy-bottomed swamps, ponds, weedy lakes, and riverine backwaters across the American South, from southern Illinois east to the Potomac River basin and south to Texas.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Flier article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Other bony fish on CatchRules

• BluegillLepomis macrochirus
• European CarpCyprinus carpio
• Brown TroutSalmo trutta
• Eastern MosquitofishGambusia holbrooki