Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Redbreast Sunfish

I caught some whoppers (hand-size, and I have really large hands) this weekend on the Nueces river. Of course, I got to thinking, "How about these for my pond?".

Well, searching the "Boss" this morning, I see relatively little about these guys. Could it be that they require the really clear, clean water in the Texas Hill Country in which I caught them this weekend thereby limiting their effectiveness in many "farm ponds"?

Does anybody have experience with these fish? One interesting note I learned this morning during my species determination is that the Redbreast sunfish has much longer "ears" than the Longear sunfish. Go figure....

Pond Jack I have stocked them in MY pond they a littel different from the ones you caych in the wild from what I gather is they will do NO harm at ALL. They do eat some pellets, but NOT quit as good as the Bluegill. Also so people belive if you are BAD with water turkeys tehn they could possibly be vurnable because of thier bright orange color.

We in the state of Georgia Like Red breast sunfish (we really call them redbellies). In fact there are quit a few Hatcheries around here who carry them. Ask Gerg Grimes he will tell you about them...Good fish!!!

PJ :

For your info.

Redbreast Sunfish, Lepomis auritus

Physical Description:
� Deep, very compressed body
� Very long, dark earflap
� Medium-sized, terminal mouth
� Large eye
� Tail fin lobes slightly rounded to a point
� Pectoral fin rounded
� Pelvic fin with small filamentous projection of longest ray
� Males have bright orange breast and belly
� Scales may have pale blue iridescent marks
� Side may have orange or yellow-orange spots or bars

Similar species:
� Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis)
� Spotted sunfish (Lepomis punctatus)

Mean body size:
� Adults are 90-185 mm standard length

Habitat:
� Found in pools of warm streams and rivers of low gradient

Distribution in VA:
� Atlantic slope drainages
� Stocked in all drainages west of the Atlantic slope drainages

Food Habits:
� Insects, crayfish, other arthropods, mollusks, and sometimes fish

Reproductive Habits:
� Mature at age 2
� Spawning occurs May to August at water temperatures of 16-28�C
� Males build nests over silt-free or lightly silted sand and gravel in cover
� Nests are usually grouped closely together in calm pool margins
� Fecundity is about 963-8,250 eggs per female
� Can naturally hybridize with L. cyanellus, L. gibbosus, L. macrochirus, and L. microlophus

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
� Good sport on light tackle
� Does not thrive in ponds
� Good to eat

References:

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo

Here is a link to compare sunfish.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/efish/families/centrarchidae.html

"does not thrive in ponds" way down near the bottom. That's what I was looking for.

All the other info is right on from what I can tell, guess I'll trust the former.

where does it say it DOES NOT Thive in Ponds????

PJ :

Just because that site from the east coast says that does not mean they will not work in your pond. I posted that info for a general comparision of it and other sunfish. The Texas info does not mention this. They will cross with other sunfish like BG if they are in your pond but are not as productive as spawners as BG. I would suggest if you want them then more research is in order. ewest

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/redbreastsunfish/

PS : The Texas material does say they were imported into Texas from the east coast.

If I could get my hands on some adults, without a doubt they're in. There's always room in my pond for an "eye popper" like that ! They are beautiful fish like the Longears. I will make sure I have enough bgill & tilapia to offest their presence.

I have redbreasts in my pond. Pond is 5 acres or so in size, located in northern New Hampshire.
Water is clear with a brown tint and gets no warmer then 80 degress in august. I also have smallmouth and crayfish in the pond. All are thriving and growing well. I stocked 140 redbreasts 2 years ago . There are thousands now and they all look fat! Also there are all different sizes in the pond from tiny fry to 9 inch fish. That part about " wont do well in ponds" dont believe it! I put a fish trap in a few days ago...let it sit over night,pulled it in the morning, in the trap were 50 flopping redbreasts all fat and looking great! Dont always believe what you read!
Bill

I Agree!!! mtnlobster this is SOOO true!!!

I was thinking about selling some Red breasts for stocking purposes, however dont know if there is a market for them in my area.

In georgia THERE IS!!!

really? I thought they just went for the bluegill in that state. I have thousands of redbreasts and more every year!

mtnlobster:

They call them Golden redbreast there are SEVERAL main fish suppliers that carry these fish..Owen & williams is the FIRST o come to mind that have these fish......

Also ask Greg Grimes....He has accsess to them as well

really! how much do they get for them? Do they sell alot of them? How big are they when they are sold? Are they in demand? Are they sold for stocking or food purposes?