There is no known angling record for Redbreast Sunfish in Alabama, however the IGFA record is 1lb 12oz, caught in the Suwannee River in Florida in 1984. Sunfish can be confusing because species can hybridize naturally making it difficult to readily identify individual fish. The adult Redbreast Sunfish averages 6 to 8 inches in length with a deep compressed body. The anal fin has 3 spines and 9-10 rays. The back and head are olive green to blue-green striped.
Males are brighter orange breasted then females.
Most of the sunfish in our area have a complete lateral line. The Redbreast Sunfish ranges from Maine to Florida along the Atlantic Coast. Some may have been introduced to the Tennessee River drainage. They like small streams to large rivers and lakes. They are aggressive predators and eat small fish, crayfish, frogs, insects, larvae and small crustaceans.