Or maybe I should give the Condello male gills another year or so and only use definite Condello females as you previously stated? I'd like to delay maturity as long as possible, and in combination with the young ages and the cages, where nests cannot be made, maybe I could do that? Bill says I'm covering new ground on that! Just my luck!
According to the research Ive's seen definite males during prime spawning season should squirt out milt from gentle pressure from the pelvic fins to the vent. However the literature warns not to cofuse urine with milt. If they appear to be males by appearance, the second test would be the milt test. And there is always a flexible catheter tube to obtain gametes which doesn't sound to difficult. I wouldn't want to damage them though. Maybe one of the biologists I know will be able to help.
Here's what scary. Remember this pic I posted earlier? Sure looks like male at first glance doesn't it? It was a female with eggs inside her. Came from a dark water pond. If she had the same coloration with not as developed eggs, to me she could have been mistaken for a male. Notice she's also got a pretty good size ear tab on her.
Bobby Glennon a biologist from Malone and Sons says when they sex gills for hybrid bluegill production they absolutely go for the presence of gametes and never go by appearance alone.
