Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Several unknown facts about redear sunfish

I agree with DIED and here is the proof. Surely you can see the obvious genetic resemblance. Both from Neb. , both wear red , both like to hold on to each other , ....

What is this fish and why is it spawning alone ?

At first I thought this was an image from the Hubbel telescope, but then I realized that it's a redear sunfish, and he's really angry about something...

... maybe the fact that someone put brick chips in the middle of his sulfur.

Redears get absolutely livid when people mess with their sulfur.

Mr. RES cleared that area of sand and gravel and staked his claim. All the BG and small LMB in the area were seen limping away wounded. I risk my life to get the pic !! The only reason I did not lose a leg taking the pic is I was standing in a boat with a camo bottom. When I left he was screaming "wade out here and fight like a man". From safely onshore well back from the waters edge I told him to take a hike to Nebraska. He replied that he had a cousin up there that would bite off my thumb and stick it in my ear. Oh the in that fish.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON REDEAR SUNFISH

COMMON NAMES: Redear sunfish, Shellcracker, Stumpknocker

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepomis microlophus

IDENTIFICATION: Redear are a deep, slab-sided fish similar to the bluegill, except the ear flap is black with a red or orange margin; black blotch at the base of the dorsal fin is absent.

RANGE AND HABITAT: Their native range is limited to southern states below the mouth of the Wabash River on the Ohio River. This species thrives in clear, warm impoundments with rooted vegetation. Redear sunfish are attracted to submerged vegetation and trees, hence the name "stumpknocker." Following spawning, redear tend to move offshore to deeper water.

LIFE HISTORY: Redear sunfish, like most other sunfish, are communal nest spawners. Spawning normally occurs in May or June, and the male guards the nest until the eggs hatch. Preferred substrate for spawning is large, thick beds of sulfur. Dominant redear males will closely guard any large sulfur beds by killing any and all nearby fish or mammals. Prefered method is to pluck the scales off of tresspassing fish one by one until the fish dies of pain. Sometimes redears will protect their sulfur beds by setting off small, thermonuclear devices in adjoining areas. Sometimes late at night yellow perch will invade the spawning grounds and place beds of brick chips in the center of the sulfur. Generally redears will then hunt down, torment, torture and eliminate all yellow perch within 50 nautical miles. Following spawning, redear sunfish move to deeper water for the summer months. The preferred diet for redear sunfish is snails. They use specially modified teeth in the throat that allow them to crush mollusk shells and extract snails.

ADULT SIZE: In well managed waters with good habitat, redear sunfish will reach 9 to 11 inches in length. The state record redear weighed 3 pounds and 1 ounce, and was 13.25 inches in length.

FISHING METHODS: Most redear are caught while on spawning beds. During this time they can be caught using most natural baits, and they will hit on small spinners and flies. Following the spawning season redear are harder to find because they are spending time in deeper water plotting the demise of mankind, however the same baits can be used when they are located.

I remember my Grandpa telling me about the good ol' days of fishing, before Redears got the bomb. :rolleyes:

That is an absolute all time classic. Completely LMAO.

from muskrat songs to the latest in pond sci fi.......i knew he was SPECIAL from the first time i met him

i do luv it when yer on the meds old buddy.

thanks for the hearty laugh this evening.

Angry sentinel . Keep away !!!

That looks very shallow, Eric. 1' - 2'?

18 inches max. He is so mean no one would bother him. No LMB no BG anywhere near him. I threw a few aquamax pellets over him and he went wild rushing around biting them.

Dont know how I missed the last few posts of this thread. Halarious, Jeff..and..right in crunch time for the "Tax Man". Good thing y'all are calling the RES a 'him' not an 'it' less PETA get really P.O.ed. Animals are humans, too. Though, as a solitary nester, maybe he is an 'it'. :rolleyes:

Holy Smolies!! I just stocked 500 of these red eared man eating carnivores in my new pond. I should of known something wasn't right when the hatchery offered to pay me to take them. Now I'm afraid to go back to my pond without a shotgun. Do ya think I'll be safe as long as I don't look em in the Eye?

Mark unless you have 500+ shells and are a good shot don't point that shotgun at them. They don't like being threatened and tend to act like airborne assassins.

Burger we don't have any fish with alternate lifestyles in that pond . Well there may be some sneekers and cuckholders but not amongst the RES clan.

None of your tax prep clients really know you, do they, Jeff?

Of course not, I've gotta work for a living.

Besides, does anyone REALLY know what their CPA is doing after April 15th.

Angry fish are getting to be a big problem for pond owners.

Why should they be angry? They have us perfectly well trained.*

*According to my theory that the fish, not the Pond Bosses, control our pond building behavior.

Jeff,

We did miss you.

Medieval carp throwing siege engines are a poor substitute for world domineering RES.

Welcome back.

i think i have a LMAO hernia

i believe i know where his inspiration came from:

Bobad, perhaps it's not the anger, but more so the utter bitterness.

Sometimes the cynicism is just a slap in the face.