The redear sunfish is native to the southeastern United States, but since it is a popular sport fish it has been introduced to bodies of water all over North America. The fish has specialized thick pharyngeal teeth, hard, movable plates in its throat, which allow it to crunch exoskeletons. These fish are bottomfeeders, meandering along lakebeds seeking and cracking open snails and other shelled creatures. It is even capable of opening small clams.
Fun Fact The stocking of redear has found new supporters due to the fish's ability to eat quagga mussels, a prominent invasive species in many freshwater drainages.