We have about 10-12 adult longear sunfish for anyone who might want some. Just give me a call.

I'd take them in a heartbeat if it weren't for the million mile drive. How big are adults typically?

Why are you getting rid of them? I could probably pick them up this coming weekend, the 2nd.

We are just exploring the market a little. The "adults" are probably 4"-6" long. We've had good spawns via accidental stocking in our production ponds.

Bruce. I can try to airship some to you if interested.

Let me know.

Poland_Jack, just call me if you want some fish. 866-347-4327.

More fish are available.

I may take some in early spring. Do they spawn same time as BG? Beautiful fish.

Todd,

Sent PM.

Todd, I would also like to try some. I was thinking on coming by the hatchery this Wednesday to discuss stocking rates and options on my new 1/2 acre pond if you are available. I will try and call when I wake up this afternoon (old shift worker).

Thanks Robert

Personally I would have to wonder why someone would want them. They don't get very big although they are pretty. I wouldn't want them to hybridize with my bluegills and reduce their size potential.

That is a logical statement, Cecil. I wonder if they take feed easily and if they do, would the growth rates increase. Or...would the BG out compete them for the feed?

Good question. BG make pretty good feed hogs, but we don't know much about other Lepomis pellet preferences except RES and GSF (the latter mostly through inference from HBG).

All I can add to this is there is a grower of feedtrained pumpkinseeds in Minnesota. He says they still top out at 8 inches even though they are pellet fed fish.

Is pumkinseed the same as longear? I thought longears get near 1.5-1.8# to naturally. It looks like most of the larger state records come from east and north east waters for longears.

Not the same.

Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/efish/families/longearsun.html

24.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5723) 24 centimeter = 9.448 818 898 inch ; max. published weight: 790 g (Ref. 4699) 790 gram = 1.741 651 871 lbs ; max. reported age: 6 years

Pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/efish/families/pumpkin.html

Longears are fighting little son of a guns. Very agressive, seem to bite when nothing else will. Still, I wouldn't want them among BG & RES.

as usual, ewest is rounding off his measurements to the nearest 10 -9th^.

Those weights are world class weights not typical longear sizes of even good size mature fish. Sure you're not thinking of a different species?

Addtionally some sources divide them into subspecies as central longear and longear.

If you are afraid they'll hybridize then don't stock them. We've not seen hybridization on the farm when mixed with bluegill....but who knows. Their coloration is absolutely stunning...much more elaborate than bluegill or redear sunfish, so I can see why someone might want some in their ponds.

I have very little faith that they would feed-train. Those that we've raised in the aquarium wouldn't eat feed, but one grew to about 8". They reproduce very well...in terms of fecundity I'd rank them close to redear sunfish.

I went by Todd’s place Wednesday morning and picked mine up.I turned them loose in an old pond due for renovation in 2008. The existing population of BG are smaller in size to the Long Ears that I released. The males were absolutely the prettiest sunfish I have ever seen. I have nothing to lose since everything will be removed or killed in two years anyway. Todd spent 1.5 hours taking me on a tour and answering questions. Overton’s is a first class operation, thanks Todd.