Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations BG ID

Dose anyone know where I can find that thread on bluegill id? I was looking at it acouple of weeks ago and now I can't seem to find it. It showed alot of pictures identifying males and female bluegill.Theo, if your reading this I know what I'm talking about. Thanks.

kristo - check out this location, where ewest posted photos from the Pond Boss - Stocking Male Bluegill 2006 articles of Cody, Condello & Baird. The link should take you to page 14 where the photos are located. Other very good photos also occur in the three BG articles and throughout this lengthy thread. I recommend that you purchase the three back issues of Pond Boss magazine (Mar-Apr, May-Jun, Jul-Aug 2006) where the photos are discussed in detail. Also included is a lengthy, good discussion of selecting, stocking, feeding and raising male bluegills. The education will be well worth the price of the back issues if you are interested in utilizing the male bluegill concept.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001816;p=14

That was it Bill .. Thankyou. I was looking around for it for so long I thought I was going to go crazzy.. I sent you acouple of pics of Bluegill I caught yesterday and was hopeing you would post them for me?

Here is kristoffers' photos. Dr. Bruce should evaluate these fish and give us a second opinion. The lower fish is slightly larger (1/2") than the upper fish. Note the lower fish has a farily large gill flap similar to that of many male BG, BUT since this fish is larger than the upper fish which has a noticably larger gill flap this lower fish could be a female with a large gill flap. The early spring coloration(NY state) of the lower fish is close to that of a female BG. Note the slightly yellower cheeks on the lower fish. Note the coloration is different just below the dorsal fin of each fish. The vertical body bars are more pronounced on the lower fish and often this a good characteristic of a mature female BG. Catching them closer to spawning season will verify if the lower fish is male or female. I have seen some strains of BG where the females have these large boxy gill flaps. Once Bruce gives us a second opinion I may have to edit this photo and my comments.

Given the large size of the lower fish, I'm inclined to say that's a female. Typically a male that big is going to have more pronounced coloration, and I've seen females (a few) with ear tabs that large.

Certainty levels.

Top fish: 99% male

Lower fish: 80% female

I agree with the statement that Bill has made many times, which is "It's easier to tell males and females if you have multiple fish caught from the same pond at the same time".

Thanks guys, I apreciate it. They seem to be alot lighter after they have been in the pond for awhile. What I am trying to say is ya know how the distinctive markings of black might be on a large mouth bass, they seem to be lighter markings after being in the pond for awhile, still very healthy but just lighter in color. My perch don't seem to do that. I use aqua shade in the pond once a year and I was just wondering if anyone has experienced or heard of this before?

I have fish that are lighter than any of my neighbors, a measurable amount. I gave a fish to a friend and within a week it was as black as the rest of his, same species. I have no additives but, my water is green all surrounding ponds are brown.

There is little doubt that anything that effects sunlight penetration into the water can effect fish coloration. Dye would certainly be included as it limits certain light wavelength penetration thus color response by BG. Here is a recent post on coloration and an older one on dye effects.

Blond BG
http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=004085


LAKE DYE Comparisons
http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=000167