Flier Facts

Scientific Name: Centrarchus macropterus

Centrarchus is from Greek meaning “anal-spined” and refers to the long anal fin spines. Also from Greek, kentron means “spine,” archos means “anus” and macropterus means “long fin.”

Other Names: round flier, flying perch

Family: Sunfish

Average Size of Adults:

5 to 7 inches

Maximum size of 8 inches and 1 pound

Lifespan:  Up to 7 years

Habitat:

Prefers quiet, clear bodies of water with little current and considerable aquatic vegetation and mud bottom

 

Food:

Young feed mostly on small crustaceans with aquatic and terrestrial insects increasing in the diet as fliers increase in size.

Fliers larger than 7 inches feed primarily on insects with fish and crustaceans making up a lesser percentage of the

diet.

Identifying Characteristics:

Most similar in appearance to crappie, but the flier has 10-13 dorsal spines.

Deep-bodied and saucer-shaped

Generally olive-green to brassy in color

Numerous black spots on sides arranged in rows on adults; interrupted rows of black spots on young

Young fliers have a large dark spot with an orange margin in the rear portion of the dorsal fin that gradually disappears as the fish gets older.

Interesting Facts:

Ichthyologists from Virginia, where fliers are commonly found, have speculated the dark spot found in the rear portion of small flier’s dorsal fin, when coupled with their eye gives the appearance of a much larger fish when viewed from above. This adaptation is believed to deter potential flier predators like herons.