Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - need help w/ ID please

caught this one today. wondering whether this was some kind of hybrid RES X BG cross or if it's just a RES w/ a poorly defined border around its "ear". i am trying to learn as much as i can about the panfish in the pond and its turning into an obsession of sorts. i never thought i'd care this much about gills and crackers.

from the "never, EVER thought this would happen" file: today there was a 6 pound bass spawning on one side of the pond. another at least 8 spawning on the other. and all i cared about was fishing that big BG bed in front of me. i used to group all panfish into one category - "bass food". now i can't get enough of these awesome little fish and i'm trying to learn as much as i can about 'em.

thanks in advance for your help.

Someone, anyone, catch a crappie and or a RES and take a picture of the first gill arch. That will help a lot with this debate. Numerous members here have RES and quite a few have crappie,,,,, go fishing, take your camera, and sacrifice one for the debate.