The "slight opercular tab white mark" really isn't white, but it is highly reflective area when looking at it with the right viewing angle, and it is a somewhat narrow viewing angle. You normally don't notice it unless they are flaring their ear tabs out. Both the top and bottom of the ear tab have this highly reflective spot. The only time I ever noticed this "white spot" in my aquarium was when my RES were getting aggressive with each other and flaring their ear tabs out, it is almost a silver/white flash.
There is also that small dark spot on the base of the pectoral fin that matches in both pictures. Most of the RES pictures I have taken this year don't have any dark spots in that area.
If I recall correctly, the August 8th fish picture was just a hair under 10" (9-7/8") when I measured it and didn't qualify as a Nebraska master angler.
Last edited by Shorty; 10/25/15 07:33 PM.
