Mr Theo - That stocking of male BG in with mixed RES was a really GOOD idea. Your pond's two biggest Specklebelly hybrids could be from a pure F1 cross of the late in life original male BG X female RES 'pure' offspring and now those F1s are near the end of their life span. In northern states RES are known to reach 9 years and a BG old timer is said to be 8 to 9 years old. Oldest BG aged from reading scales was 11 yrs Carlander 1977, Spotte 2007. Thus your 12.5" hybrid I think was likely 8-9 to maybe 10 yrs old.
Childers 1967 says that female BG and Male RES cross produced 97% males and Whitt et. al. said it was 99.4% males and whereas Childers&Bennett said the cross produced 100% males.
.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 10/12/2408:30 PM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
