Considered a synonym of Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, 1819
- La Rivers, I.. 1994. "Fishes and fisheries of Nevada". University of Nevada Press, Reno, Nevada. 1-782 (ffm04574)
Original description as Lepomis ardesiacus:
- Cope, Edward D. 1868. "On the distribution of fresh-water fishes in the Allegheny region of southwestern Virginia". Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. 6:207-247 (ffm00281)