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Scarlet Sunfish
This handsome little fish is found in the lowland streams along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida, passing over even to the Indian River region. It is probably most abundant about New Orleans. It gets to be about 6 inches in length and is of but little value as a food-fish.
Body oblong and somewhat regularly elliptical; mouth rather large; opercular flap short and broad, entirely black or dark green; gillrakers stout but not very short; pectoral long. Colour, side of male with about 14 rows of red spots, those of lower rows brightest; middle of side with some black spots; some black under pectoral; belly orange with red spots.
In southern Indiana and Illinois is found L. garmani which may be not distinct from miniatus.