Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Sunfish Identification

I need input folks. Being investigated for importing "Bluegills". Didn't do it. Found juveniles in my private pond, thought they were the local species...pumpkin seed (Lepomis gibbosus) . We trapped from my pond and stuck them in a tank in the barn. The State of Maine IF&W pathologist say they are bluegills. BIG ISSUE: Maine classifies Bluegills as an Invasive yet Established species. And they are illegal. State pathologist identified his sampling as such...15 taken from tank had 11 identified as bluegills, they have not told me what was in my pond. They would/will not show us the labs and wanted to rotenone my pond. I pursued wanting to see the labs. I am now being investigated for importing. We did not import anything. [B][/B]
We sought an independent lab to identify the fish. We were told that from a sampling of 15, 8 were definitely pumpkinseed, the other 7 were had variant bluegill characteristics. 50% of the fish taken from my pond were identied as pumpkinseed and the others, again, with variant bluegill characteristics. Now, I am comparing all sunnys and trying desperately to find someone who knows how to identify juvenile bluegills(Lepomis macrochirus) and juvenile pumpkinseeds((Lepomis gibbosus). I see no variation yet to distinguish identifiable characteristics, marking one species as not the other.
Hybridization of these and those makes it challenging to distinguish, so HOW do we? How are juvenile sunfish distinguishable, specifically pumpkinseeds from others?

The State of Maine is beginning to question this too. I found a question from the State of Maine inquiring at this as well on the Fishbase Forum. Good. It needs to be questioned. I have already had them steal my fish though and am having to prove a negative.They came with a search warrant and an accusation of importing and now are questioning how to identify juveniles.

Can anyone help at all? -Cynthia 207-845-3048

I would hope Bill Cody can help you that posts on here periodically. He is a taxonomist but not sure if he is recognized as a fish taxonomist although I have no doubt he would be adept at identifying fish.

One thing puzzles me. How did you state fish and game decide to check your fish in the first place? Did I miss something? I wouldn't think they just go around checking ponds do they?

Sounds like you may need a lawyer, but I would think the burden would be on the state to show you imported the fish -- especially since they do exist in some Maine waters.

I will call you to learn more details of your situation and to discuss your options.