Figure 1
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KEY TO THE FISH OF THE FAMILY CENTRARICHAE THAT CAN BE FOUND IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA (by Corinne L. Chavern)
1. No notch appears between the spiny and soft rays of dorsal fin; body deep and short...................2
1. Deep notch between the spiny and soft rays of dorsal fin; body elongated and not as deep........10
2. Dorsal fin about equal to anal fin in length................................................................................................3
2. Dorsal fin much longer than anal fin in length...........................................................................................4
3. Distance from eye to start of dorsal fin is much greater than the entire length of dorsal fin; dorsal
spines normally 5-6; body more definitely banded........................................................... White Crappie
3. Distance from the eye to start of dorsal fin is about equal to entire length of dorsal fin; dorsal
spines normally 7-8; body more speckled............................................................................Black Crappie
4. Anal spines usually 6; dorsal spines 11-12; scales each with a dark spot...........................Rockbass
4. Anal spines less than 5..................................................................................................................................5
5. Teeth on tongue; mouth large; maxillary extending behind middle of eye; gill rakers long............
............................................................................................................................................................Warmouth
5. No teeth on tongue; mouth small; maxillary not extending behind middle of eye..............................6
6. Pectoral fins short and rounded about one-fourth standard length......................................................7
6. Pectoral fins long and pointed about one-third standard length...........................................................8
7. Gill rakers long and flexible; scales smaller, 44 or more in lateral line; operacle membrane with
slight margin; black spot on last dorsal ray........................................................................Green Sunfish
7. Gill raker short and knob-like; scales lager, 39 or fewer in lateral line; operacle membrane with
distinct narrow red margin behind; no black spot..........................................................Longear Sunfish
8. Gill rakers short and knob-like; rows of small spots on dorsal fin; opercular bone stiff behind and
never ragged at its caudal margin..........................................................................................Pumpkinseed
8. Gill rakers long and flexible; opercular bone flexible posteriorly and sometimes quite ragged at its
caudal margin........................................................................................................................….......................9
9. Opercular bone extending almost to margin of "ear flap" (figure 1); anal soft-rays 10 to 12; distinct black blotch near base of last dorsal rays..............................................................…................................Bluegill
9. Opercular bone extending only to middle of "ear flap" (figure 1); anal soft-rays 7 to 9; orange spots on cheeks and body..................................................................................................Orangespotted Sunfish
Figure 1
10. Maxillary bone in adult extending past the posterior margin of the eyes; dorsal fin almost
completely separated in two; no small scales on membranes of soft dorsal and anal fins..............
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Figure 2 