Redear or Pumpkinseed?

I'm really not familiar with the techniques used to seperate these two species... Anyways:

http://i48.tinypic.com/vq47ed.jpg

I have small hands so here's a 9 inch Bluegill for comparison:

http://i46.tinypic.com/4h2zx1.jpg

Caught while electrofishing and doing a game fish population survey at Easter Lake. We caught a number of larger fish that were in the 10-11 inch range that were far blander and were immediately labeled "Redears" (sorry for no pics, we caught them much earlier on and I didn't think my camera had enough battery), but this fish was considerably more colorful and small. If you can figure out which it is, please tell me which ID characteristics you used, because the guide I possess is not very helpful. By the way, at the end of the summer I will have accumulated a plethora of pictures of different species (some really cool ones too!) so expect to see a topic about that later on. Thanks for your help!

Edited by Orangespotted, 09 June 2012 - 04:06 PM.

That's a pure redear.

That's a pure redear.

Could you please explain why? I'm trying to build up my recognition skills.

Yup that is a pure redear. Look at the ear, it's all red on the black ear flap. Orangespotted sunfish has white margin on the black ear flap.

P-seeds would typically have a slightly longer ear, blue scrolling lines on the face and gill cover, and have more of a golden-brown body color with some muted vertical bands.

Yup that is a pure redear. Look at the ear, it's all red on the black ear flap. Orangespotted sunfish has white margin on the black ear flap.

Don't you mean Pumpkinseed, not Orangespotted? My forum name might've gotten you mixed up. Orangespotteds are pretty distinct if you know what to look for... even in small fish. On the other hand, the extended red is a good trait to look for, thank you.

P-seeds would typically have a slightly longer ear, blue scrolling lines on the face and gill cover, and have more of a golden-brown body color with some muted vertical bands.

Yeah, I already had the idea that Redears were more silvery, I guess the amount of color on this one threw me off. I don't know about the vertical bands as a characteristic though; my Readear has some if you look at the top of the fish (they would be easier to see if the flash of the camera hadn't reflected back metallic blue as much), and I've seen lots of Sunfish show those when stressed. On the other hand, the spreading habit of the blue on the operculum is very helpful! I know what you mean by that - wormy markings instead of the gold spots on blue like in my fish. Thank you for your help.

Edited by Orangespotted, 09 June 2012 - 08:18 PM.

Speaking of pumpkinseed, am I only one thinks Redears and Pumpkinseeds are very similar to each other than other species?

Redears have a really angular head. The head shape sticks out for me. Of course the red tipped operculum is helpful as well, but pseeds have much more body coloration.