What type if "outdoors" fish was this?

[Nells2502 1]

7/12/26
Devens MA

 

[Back in the fold2 1]

Fascinating . I’ll assume that’s in your New England area and in a freshwater lake or stream . It almost looks an aquarium cichlid but it couldn’t be . Could it ?

 

[Nells2502 1]

Oooops, forgot to mention the LOCATION in Devens.... a place called Mirror Lake.

 

[GaryE28 143]

It does look Cichlid=y from that angle. I don't think it's a smallmouth bass, but water distorts.

If it is an aquarium dump, the owner was unethical and the fish is doomed.

 

[Tomsfish8 51]

I always thought sunfish looked like cichlids [ even to be specific German Rams/M. Ramirezi ].
Picture doesn't really show fish shaped but the spot says sunfish to me.

 

[Magnum Man29 143]

there are several bluegill species, and the blue on the gill plate isle that but it looks stockier than most bluegill species I’m aware of…

 

[Magnum Man29 143]