Interactions

Predator/Prey:

The pumpkinseed sunfish serves as prey and a food source for other various species of fish. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike and even other sunfish feed off of the pumpkinseed's youth and eggs (Fox 1994). You can find images of these species for reference below.

Competition:

In many areas, the pumpkinseed is considered an exotic species. In the locations where this is the case, the pumpkinseed finds itself in competition for food and living areas. Much of this competition is attributed to the way the pumpkinseed behaves. This is a foraging fish, and as a result has proved itself to be a predator of many of the native species in the areas it lives. It is thought to decrease the species variation and richness by means of predation.

 

 

Largemouth Bass

 

Smallmouth Bass

 

Yellow Perch

 

Walleye

 

Muskellunge

 

Northern Pike