Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations REDEAR only pond?

Always liked redear, after my latest pond die off, I am thinking of having a 100% redear pond. I had thought about raising some in a tank to get a head start on spring. ANY advice comments would be appreciated!

thanks

Although they are not as prolific as bluegill i would think you need some kind of predator to keep their numbers in check. Or did I misunderstand?

I agree, even a fish that is not overly prolific like RES still needs some control of their numbers. If you stock them into a smaller pond, say 1/4 or 1/3 of an acre. Just one LMB may be all that is needed.

No need to stock FHM of GSH. Just the RES and the lone LMB. When the LMB gets over 12" or so, remove it and replace with another 6" or so LMB.

There is also the option of hybrid red ear. My fish supplier offers them, and I believe they are similar in reproduction to hybrid bluegills. Red ears, I believe, are not as prone to overpopulation as bluegills, but I think you'd still need some kind of predator. I am very impressed with their growth. I observed some yesterday in the shallows, and their growth in my pond has eclipsed that of the hybrids.

What's a hybrid redear?

I was assuming a cross between a bluegill and a redear.

A question posed previously by TJ was whether this hybrid would eventually revert back to straight bluegill over the years.

Found the hatchery in Illinois, you are correct on the cross. They say they reproduce 99% male. A hybrid bream will not revert back so I would assume this cross would not either.

BG X GSF = HBG

BG X GSF X ??= Georgia Giant

RES X BG = Illinois Illigitimi

Is it time to break out the popcorn again, Bill?

As a side note, (and if I remember correctly), a MBG x FRES, AS WELL AS a MRES x FBG (reciprocal cross) will both yield a very high percentage, and nearly equal amounts, of males....

Unlike the reciprocal cross of MGSF x FBG, which produces many more females than 'traditional' HBG.

My RES pulled off a good spawn last year, I would be worried if there was only one LMB in the pond to control their numbers. Last years hatch vary in size from 3/4" to 3" +.

Just about any sunfish species can be crossed with another sunfish species. Obviously, few species are actually used because most sunfish species just do not reach sizes that are desirable.

The two most common species to cross with an RES would be BG or GSF. Either cross may have merits in their use in pond stocking. In any case, the use of a predator to control the reproduction of the hybrids would be a must in my opinion. If a fish farmer could come up with a cheap way to effectively sterilize fish, he could do quite well for himself.





You'd be surprised just how many small RES one LMB can eat in a small pond with minimal cover for the YOY RES to take cover in.

You would think that the 67 SMB and 41 YP I have would "get-r-done" but I still have a lot of small RES from last years hatch.

It must be the presence of GSH and FHM that are distracting them from eating the small RES.

Or skip the LMB all together and stock a handful of SMB.

yall are right, I guess I would need a predator, SMB would be great but I dont think they would stand the summer heat.

Smb would be fine with good water quality and 02

A member has smb in Arizona

I had them nailing pellets on the surface in 90 degree water last summer. Didn't even slow them down. No largemouths though.

Phoenix, Arizona no less.

I had no idea that was possible!

There is a small pond near me that has only RES and yellow perch. Both are stunted after about 5-6yrs.