Centrarchidae - Sunfishes

Centrarchidae are a family of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the order Centrarchiformes. The type genus is Centrarchus (consisting solely of the flier, C. macropterus). The centrarchid family comprises 34 fish species that include species like rock bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and crappies. All species in the family are native to only North America.

There are eight genera included within Centrarchidae: Lepomis (Sunfishes), Micropterus (Black basses), Pomoxis (Crappie), Enneacanthus (Banded sunfishes), Centrarchus (Flier), Archoplites (Sacramento perch), Ambloplites (Rock basses), and Acantharchus (Mud sunfish).

A genetic study in 2012 suggests that the highly distinct Pygmy sunfishes, of the genus Elassoma, are also Centarchids.

Most sunfish are valued for sport fishing and have been introduced in many areas outside their original ranges, sometimes becoming invasive species.