Just curious Cecil, how you are going to sex RES outside of the spawn?
I am still trying to determine the sex the 5 RES I have in my aquarium. Based on the red/orange margins on the ear tab I think I have four males and one female. Based on the light creamy colored sides vs. much darker sides I think I have one male and four females.
My best guess is that I have one dominant male RES, three submissive males, and one female. Coloration wise the three submissive males look female with the exception of the larger red margin on the ear tab. The dominant male has both the darker sides and larger red margin on the ear tab.
I was hoping at some point the adult ear tab would be manifested as in deep red for the males and a lighter orange more subdued for the females, but that may be wishful thinking.
Worst case scenario I'll keep them longer in the tank until they are 7 to 9 inches and perhaps I can tell then? Or they will have to go into a cage the following spring to get the right photoperiod and temps to get them to dimorphisize?
OTH hand I could manipulate photoperiod and water temps in the tank. I have dimmer switch in the fish room I can not only use to turn off lights at selected times but I can increase the intensity of the light.
If they have to go in a cage I will see if Scott will put the in his pond to avoid risking females escaping in my male only bluegill pond. I can give him some or all the females to sweeten the deal.
