Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Redear Fish ID

I have placed Male BG in my BG/RES repro pond, but now need to target Female RES. I know they are more identifiable around the spawn, however, I would ideally like to stock them this Autumn in preparation for the Spring spawn.

With that in mind can someone help educate me on identification clues/tips for Female RES this time of the year? I need help...thanks in advance!

TJ

IIRC, the "red" tabs on the opercules are smaller and less vivid (more orangish) on females.

...and redears, of course, on the left , Males on the bottom

Eric/Theo

Thanks for your feedback thus far.

Males: RED margin on opercular lobe - darker scales on body?

Females: Orange margin on opercular lobe - lighter, more silver hue?

If you are trying to be as close to 100% as possible you may want to bite the bullet and just wait til they are close to spawning or spawning next spring. As you said, they are much easier to differentiate at that time than in the fall. Even if you stock the females half way through the spawn, I think you're still gonna get some good reproduction in your pond.

Must be 100%. Bruce advised me similarly - I am very impatient.

I might sample the main pond and see if I get any obvious females with orange margins...if not, guess I'll have to wait.

Are you going to try removing the red tabs from the females?