Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Fish ID, ? GSF pure strain or hybrid

Caught this fish last evening off the dock. I think I'm seeing some GSF (green sunfish, in case I'm using the wrong initials) genetics, yes? Light edges to the fins seemed odd. Opercular tab also seemed to have a red edge to it, like a red ear sunfish, which I've stocked for snail control. Fish was ~ 7 inches long, and body condition was good (plump). Mouth was no wider than typical BG mouth.

HBG F1+ genetic expression gets pretty hard [for me] to ID - but I also tend to lean towards Bill's call - if I had to wager I'd say either GSF/RES or HBG [GSF/BG] x RES. I don't think I see any BG characteristics, so likely the former?

Take heart Luke, I think naturally occuring F1+ lepomis hybrids are really cool - sharpens your genetic discernment, leads to sometimes exotic/stunning specimens, and likely has low risk regarding recruitment, etc. Throw in the hybrid vigor factor and I'd just keep sampling and posting your beauties for our collective enjoyment!

Those yellow-tipped fins and the thin opercule edge are definitely GSF-ish.

Your mystery fish looks very much like some of my naturally occuring HBG. Coloration, intermediate mouth size, and chunky body shape match up.

Dr. - you could have a RES crossed with a GSF. It is a good probability the eggs (offspring) of this cross may not be fertile nor hatch. Although old work with hybrids indicated the RESXGSF did produce limited numbers of offspring.

Need to Understand HBG Genetics - Pond Boss Forum

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=474445&page=3

W.F. CHILDERS
Illinois Natural History Survey
Urbana, Illinois
U.S.A.

In this paper R refers to red-ear sunfish, B to bluegill, G to green sunfish, and W to warmouth.

4.1 Sex Ratios of F1 hybrids
Sexually mature F1 hybrids were collected from each population and sexed. Of the 10 kinds of viable F1 hybrids, seven were predominately males (RB, BR, and BG were 97 percent males; WG were 84 percent males; and RG, GB, and BW were approximately 70 percent males), two were approximately 50 percent males (GR and RW), and one was predominately female (GW was 16 percent males). Ricker (1948) determined the sex of 428 BR F1 hybrids in Indiana and found them to be 97.7 percent males.