Pond Boss









BLUEGILL acronym = BG










Omnivore, eats zooplankton, small fish and readily eats pellets.

High fecundity, makes excellent forage fish.

Can reach two pounds.

Excellent palatability.


http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3375 Bluegill FishBase

Bluegill spawning - On Beds. Does filamentous algae interfere?
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=375689#Post375689

COPPERNOSE BLUEGILL = CNBG





















Found primarily in the southern U.S. Does not thrive in cooler, northern waters of the U.S.

Also an omnivore, that eats zooplankton, small fish and does quite well on pelleted feed.

High fecundity which enhances it's ability to act as a primary forage fish.

Can reach two pounds. One pound fish is considered large.


One Nice Coppernose -

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=286755&page=1


CNBG variation Fla vs Ark -
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=177215&page=1




GREEN SUNFISH = GSF





Here is an essay about Green Sunfish aka GSF
http://www.pondboss.com/news/moderators-corner/green-sunfish

Eats zooplankton, small fish and pellets.

High fecundity.

Can reach one pound.

Good eating if it reaches appropriate size.

Good Forum Discussion about behavior and growth of BG - GSF - HBG
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=478569#Post478569



http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3371 Green Sunfish FishBase

Here is a link to a good GSF thread:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=397661&page=1

Are GSF going to be a problem in my bass bluegill pond?
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=400269#Post400269

REDEAR SUNFISH = RES







Male and female RES side by side from June 15th - Shorty 's pic

[img]http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.ph...20by%20side.jpg[/img]



[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/s...zpsr2bsrauh.jpg[/img]


Eats zooplankton, and small live prey items including mollusks. Typically won’t consume pelleted food unless specifically trained to do so.

Low to moderate fecundity.

Can reach sizes in ponds exceeding three pounds.

Excellent palatability.

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3378 Redear Sunfish FishBase

This thread shows the gill rakers of a RES and RESXBG hybrid
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=375542&page=1

This thread discusses how to build some nesting areas for RES after the pond is filled. Prior to pond filling adding gravel and coarse sand to shallow areas is adequate fro RES nest sites.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=375694#Post375694

Here is a link to a thread about feeding habits of the redear:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=392580#Post392580

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=399177#Post399177

Unknown RES Facts – Lengthy thread :

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=14880

Cage Raising Attempts for RES
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=465765#Post465765

Cage Raising and Good RES Info
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=481748#Post481748

Contains numerous links to info about RES. It is updated periodically by 'Snrub'.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=363328
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=363328&page=1

Here is a link to very good information and pictures for sexing RES. Thanks to member 'Shorty' for taking time to produce much of the information and many of the pictures.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=409550&page=1

Some pictures of male and female RES (& a few BG)
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=452023#Post452023

SEXING REDEARS
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=490034#Post490034

Pharyngeal Teeth (mollusk crushing molars) of RES
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=445938#Post445938

Thread for catching RES
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=449970#Post449970

This from Jason (ColdCreek Farms): I know there has been some discussion on the challenges of catching RES so I'll share a tip that I stumbled on many years ago. I was fishing a well stocked 2 acre pond and stumbled on a technique while going for the plentiful bullhead cats. I was fishing from the dam area in 6-8 ft water with chicken livers on a carolina rig. Believe it or not, we caught more RES slabs than cats. I wouldn't have known they were in the pond at all were it not for that experience. Worth a try if you are having trouble with the RES bite.



Discussions of RES Hybrids
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=389096
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=447421#Post447421

RES only stocked with hybrid stripped bass - A concept & discussion
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=503145#Post503145

See post below by Bill Cody dated 16/12/13 07:09 PM
for more info on RES.




HBG = BLUEGILL/GREEN SUNFISH HYBRID = HBG


[img]http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=12499&filename=GSFXBG3930.jpg[/img]


[img]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/BCondello/HybridBlueGill.jpg[/img]


Prefers small fish, zooplankton and pellets.

Generally reproduces at a very low rate.

Can reach over one pound.

Excellent table fare.


HBG pic/question - http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=256047&page=1

Shorty's unusual hybrids:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=99961&page=1

Here is a link to a thread that discusses hybrid RES X GSF.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=389103#Post389103

BLACK CRAPPIE = BCP

[img]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/BCondello/crappie.jpg[/img]

Eats zooplankton and smaller fish. Does not eat pellets.

High fecundity with proper substrate. Erratic year classes.

Sometimes reaches 3 pounds.

Excellent palatability.

This thread on Pg2 has a picture of the gill rakers of a black crappie
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=375542&page=1

SPECKLE BELLY SUNFISH. A new hybrid that is being produced. Parentage is not provided.
http://www.jmmaloneandson.com/specklebelly-sunfish.html
Forum Discussion:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=462680#Post462680


Crappie Pond - http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=1363&Number=14831#Post14831


This link takes you to the Crappie growing thread in the Archives.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92447#Post92447

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3388 Black Crappie FishBase


WHITE CRAPPIE = WCP

[img]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/BCondello/whitecrappie.jpg[/img]

Will eat zooplankton, but prefers live fish. Won’t eat pellets.

High fecundity. Often will overpopulate ponds.

Can reach sizes over three pounds with high levels of fish for forage.

Excellent palatability.

[img]http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/ewestmnw/606cWCBCAU.jpg[/img]

Crappie Pond - http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=1363&Number=14831#Post14831

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3387 White Crappie FishBase





Attached picture av2.jpg
Attached picture PB210089_zps95ca9641.JPG
Attached picture 800x600CNBG.jpg
Attached picture 160BCCSBG12-9.jpg
Attached picture BG1sexing.JPG
Attached picture 167ospot02.jpg
Attached picture GSFWiscID.jpg
Attached picture GSFXBG3930.jpg
Attached picture RES male- female side by side.jpg
Recently gaining notice

ORANGE SPOTTED SUNFISH OSS
Lepomis humilis







OSS discussion thread


Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 01/07/10 02:56 PM
Pumpkinseed Sunfish - PS - Common sunfish, sunny, yellow sunfish.
Mostly northern US distribution into southern Canada and south along eastern US to Georgia. Colorful. Feeds on small snails, insects and fish. Usually does not get quite as big as BG.

Pics from Wisc Fish.







Omaha’s fish ided by Bill as PS




CJ’s pic ided by Bill and CJ as PS



From this link http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=202464&fpart=1 which has PS and RES info WRT hybrids.

Bill’s discussion of the above 4 PS and one possible PS hybrid (hybrid ("top fish" in the discussion below) not copied here).

Note the pectoral of bottom fish & CJ's PS reaches past the posterior pelvic fin and to or just about to the base of the anal fin in both fish. As I look a second and third time, more closely at the PS fins, I think the pectoral fin, if laid straight back, will actually reach the base of the anal fin. Look closely for the fine pointed pectoral fin tip in both of the the PS. Whereas the back tip of the pectoral of top fish does not quite reach the pelvic tip or go past the posterior pelvic and in no way comes close to the base of the anal fin (pic not above). This can be hard to measure on a picture but in this case it is fairly clear at least to me - maybe not to all.

Also notice that the back tip of the pelvic fin reaches within about or at least 1/4" of the base of the anal fin in both of what I am calling PS. But in the top fish this distance is at least 1/2"-3/4" or more. This fin distance feature is a consistant feature for individuals of the same species and a good indication that the two with different fin rations are different species (again Picture not present above). Or the top fish could be a hybrid.

Since the pectoral fin is not as long as it should be in the top fish and coloration is not what I normally see in a pure PS I conclude it is some sort of hybrid because it does have some PS (or maybe RES) coloration and features.

About top 2 fish pics above (Wisc Fish pics)by John Lyons
The pectorial back delicate, narrow tip or end is very hard to see in the bottom pic, but clearer in the top pic. In top fish if fin is laid straight back it will definately reach beyond the pelvic fin and quite close to or to the first spine of the anal fin. If the pectoral fin was well colored on 2nd fish as 1st fish, I think pectoral fins of both fish in the two Lyon's pics would have the same measurement ratios.

Notice in the top fish, the collapsed pelvic fin reaches close and within abt 1/4" of the anal fin base (not a 1/2"-3/4" distance) - similar to earlier pics of what I called PS.

Note I don't think one can use this pectoral fin feature to separate PS and RES. Both have very long pectoral fins. Actually I think the RES pectorial fin is longer in RES compared to PS. Not sure about the distance between the pelvic fin and anal base for RES. BG also have relatvely long pectorial fins but typically not quite as long as RES or PS.

All this stuff can be hard to see in pictures. It is easier to see and measure with a fish in your hand.

Some additional information regarding PS.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=13258&Number=156228#Post156228


Images of pure stain PS. Note the red on the "ear tabs" and the markings on the gill cover.
http://fishndave.blogspot.com/2013/07/nesting-pumpkinseed-sunfish.html
http://thenativetank.tumblr.com/post/117114965784/cool-critters-pumpkinseed-sunfish-lepomis
http://www.roughfish.com/content/sunfish-pumpkinseed-clint-texas
http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-1734121/stock-photo-pumpkinseed-sunfish


Pictures and discussion of PS hybrids:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=141265#Post141265


Hybrid PS -BG-GSF discussion
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=99961&page=1

Later in this thread it shows how pumpkinseeds (PS) will grow to nice sizes that can be managed and harvested from a pond.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=431696#Post431696

More pictures of large pumpkinseed sunfish from a small pond. It can be done. Several pond forum members think these pumpkinseeds are some degree of hybrid pumpkinseed.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=439038&#Post439038

Discussion of Ohio pond with large pumpkinseed sunfish. Note that several knowledgeable forum members think these fish are some degree of hybrid PS and not pure pumpkinseed.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=439039&#Post439039







Attached picture PS23907.jpg
Attached picture PS4762-1_zpsbf771671.jpg
Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 05/31/11 02:00 PM
AP’s PS from - http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=260625&page=1










Attached picture Bacc 15  (139).jpg
Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 12/19/11 01:38 AM
Sunfish id links - very good


https://www.koaw.org/sunfishes


http://bio.slu.edu/mayden/sunfish/sun_key/1.html
Originally Posted By: Bluegillerkiller
Cat you should add luckyseven's link to the pond boss thread link you posted..

Here is the link to the excellent sunfish ID site suggested by Lukkyseven:
Originally Posted By: Lukkyseven
Could someone who's good at doing this let me know if this link is accurate?

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Sunfish Identification


Regards and thanks,
Catmandoo Ken
Here is a short summary of the history of redear sunfish in southern lower Michigan.
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/ifr/ifrlibra/technical/reports/2003-3tr.pdf

This is from MRHELLO: "We used to have a city lake we could fish that was full of RES. The bait of choice there were small crawfish (1-2 inch). This was a little trick an older gentleman had been using for years at this lake and let us in on it. I only made it one time with my dad and it was some of the best fishing I had."

CJBS provides this: "Live crickets seem to be a top bait for them. Grass shrimp if available also works amazing for them. Fish structure close to the bottom."

Information about growing some RES from small ones to 9" inside in a fish tank.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=378500&#Post378500

CJBS provided this summary of the Pros and Cons of several of the sunfishes.
All sunfish prefer water temps that reach well into the 70's or even 80's for proper growth. If your pond stays cool enough to support RBT year round, it likely wouldn't produce desired results for any sunfish species.

As far as aggressiveness, the common species of sunfish in order of aggressiveness:
HBG
GSF*
BG
RES
*Some consider the GSF more aggressive than the HBG.

RES would be the best choice for not having to worry about them nipping at swimmers. The other species are likely to nip depending on fish density and spawn season.

As far as pros and cons on each one:

HBG(BGxGSF): aggressive biters, excellent for use in a put and take fishery, 95% or so male, so limited reproduction. Limited reproduction means they are poor choice to use as a forage base, subsequent generations(F2, F3, etc) are likely to produce less than desirable offspring. Quick initial growth rates to a bit over 1 pound, but rarely go over 1.5 pounds.

GSF: aggressive, large mouth compared to other species, more fusiform shape so they make good bass forage, tend to be out competed in a healthy LMB/BG pond. Can compete with juvenile bass for food sources. Tendency to stunt in poor conditions. Rarely reaches 1 pound or 10".

BG: Very prolific and make excellent forage for LMB, often the back bone of the forage bass in most LMB ponds. If managed correctly, can easily reach 1 pound, regularly reach 1.5 pounds and rarely reach 2 pounds. If not managed with LMB or another high intensity management program, can stunt and over populate because of their prolific nature.

RES: Not prolific, difficult to catch outside of spawning season, commonly grow to 1 pound in ponds with 2 pound fish not unheard of and a rare 3 pound fish possible. Require warmer water than other sunfish species often dying in winter, especially in smaller ponds where temperatures can swing quickly. Fill a slightly different niche than BG and thus do not completely compete with them for food resources. Have specialized teeth(pharyngeal plates)in their throat to crush shells of snails, clams and other hard shelled organisms. This allows them to feed on items other sunfish cannot. Difficult to pellet train and thus mostly have to have them rely on natural feed.

More links to RES some may be duplicates:

Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 06/02/14 12:11 PM
Bluegill spawning video by Water Fowl

Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 06/15/16 05:00 PM
Thought I would put this lepomis traits here and in the sunfish archive. From Wisc Fish an outstanding site with great work. It has pics of the traits and pics of some crosses.

http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/home/Default.aspx?tabid=605&FishID=21




Compare Similar Species


Lateral Scales

Bass, Rock 39-43
Bluegill 39-45
Pumpkinseed 38-43
Sunfish, Green 44-51
Sunfish, Longear 34-38
Sunfish, Orangespotted 36-41
Warmouth 36-40

Opercular Flap Color

Bass, Rock Solid dark
Bluegill Solid dark
Pumpkinseed Dark with light spot at tip
Sunfish, Green Dark with light margin
Sunfish, Longear Dark with light margin
Sunfish, Orangespotted Dark with light margin
Warmouth Dark with light margin

Gill Rakers

Bass, Rock 7-10, long and thin
Bluegill 13-16, moderately long
Pumpkinseed 9-12, short and thick
Sunfish, Green 11-14, long and thin
Sunfish, Longear 9-11, short and thick
Sunfish, Orangespotted 10-15, long and thin
Warmouth 9-12, moderately long

Pectoral Fin

Bass, Rock Short, rounded
Bluegill Long, pointed
Pumpkinseed Long, pointed
Sunfish, Green Moderately long, rounded
Sunfish, Longear Short, rounded or blunt point
Sunfish, Orangespotted Long, rounded or blunt point
Warmouth Moderately long, rounded

Pigment Pattern on Sides and Soft Dorsal Fin

Bass, Rock Sides brown solid color or with dark mottling or many indistinct spots; fin mottled and/or spotted
Bluegill Sides dark or silver blue or bluish-olive, solid color or with dark vertical bars, sometimes fine irregular dark blue spots; fin solid, often with large diffuse spot at base
Pumpkinseed Sides olive or yellow-olive, with many irregular yellow-orange spots or blotches and sometimes faint vertical bars; fin solid or faint spots/mottling
Sunfish, Green Sides yellow or blue-green, with solid color, dark mottling, faint light spots or faint dark bars; fin dusky, spotted or with dark blotch at base
Sunfish, Longear Sides dark bluish-olive, with solid color or light irregular spots or blotches/mottling; fin solid or faint spots/mottling
Sunfish, Orangespotted Sides blue or gray, with occasional irregular orange spots, faint diffuse vertical bars; fin solid or faint spots/mottling
Warmouth Sides yellow-brown or olive with dark mottling, faint spots or faint bars; fin mottled and/or spotted

Other Characteristics

Bass, Rock 5-7 anal spines; 9-11 anal rays
Bluegill Opercular flap slightly elongated in large adults
Pumpkinseed None
Sunfish, Green Rarely a few teeth on tongue
Sunfish, Longear Opercular flap greatly elongated in adults
Sunfish, Orangespotted Opercular flap often elongated in adults; large sensory pores above lip; 8-9 anal fin rays
Warmouth Well-developed supramaxillary bone; teeth on tongue

Similarity Index

Bass, Rock Moderately similar
Bluegill N/A
Pumpkinseed Small juveniles very similar, adults moderately similar
Sunfish, Green Small juveniles very similar, adults moderately similar
Sunfish, Longear Small juveniles very similar, adults moderately similar
Sunfish, Orangespotted Small juveniles very similar, adults moderately similar
Warmouth Small juveniles very similar, adults moderately similar


This may help - lepomis id chart


Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 09/07/16 08:59 PM
GSF Std Wts by David Willis. Pond Boss Mag Sept/Oct 2013. Pg 24

Other sunfishes
Excellent thread Bill and Eric
Posted By: ewest Re: Common pond fish primer (sunfish edition) - 12/13/22 06:23 PM
Via Bill Cody research - BG reproduction potential

Here is some reference information about bluegill spawning and potential of producing fry. In BG behavior a territorial male sometimes spawns with more than one female in succession. Eggs in the nest could represent a maximum effort of one female or if the egg total was from several females as this is still unclear. One 6 inch female BG in Mississippi contained 12,000 eggs. Female BG from a study in Minnesota contained 15,000 to 58,000 eggs. Another study showed the average BG nest contained 15,000 eggs. An Indiana study of BG nesting colonies showed the counted eggs in each of four nests to have 11.2K, 30,3K, 80K and 224,000eggs!. The higher egg counts in nests of this study unlikely came from one female. Are you sure you want mixed sex BG in this tiny pond? LMB with males and females will have the same reproductive potential. Small fish numbers could become crowded quickly and often more commonly in a tiny pond.
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