to be introduced to lakes without the risk of competition with fish that prefer shallower water or surface-feeding. In recent years, the stocking of redear has found new allies due to the fish's ability to eat quagga mussels, a prominent invasive species in many freshwater drainages. Reproduction During spawning, males congregate and create nests close together in colonies, and females visit to lay eggs. The redear sometimes hybridizes with other sunfish species. Fossil record The redear sunfish is the first-known species of Centrarchidae based on fossil records, as old as 16.3 million years, dating back to the Middle Miocene. Relationship with humans Redear sunfish is a popular panfish among recreational anglers. The IGFA all-tackle world record for the species stands at caught in 2014 from Lake Havasu in Arizona. References External links GLANSIS Species FactSheet Lepomis Fish described in 1859 Taxa named by Albert Günther Freshwater fish of the Southeastern United States Extant Miocene first appearances Freshwater fish of North America