10 replies to this topic

[gymrat987654321]

Hi,

 

So I've been catching some sunfish the past few days that I'm not 100% sure about. I've caught bluegills and greensunfish in this NJ pond in the past. These fish however look different. Looks like maybe some sort of pumpkinseed hybrid. However, I have never caught a pumpkinseed in this pond. Thanks for the help. 

 

 

 

 

Edited by gymrat987654321, 11 June 2015 - 11:33 AM.

[Josh Blaylock]

Are those 4 different fish, or 2 & 2?

[gymrat987654321]

Are those 4 different fish, or 2 & 2?

 

Sorry. First two pictures are one fish. Third picture is a separate fish. And forth picture is another fish. So 3 fish total. 

[Josh Blaylock]

I'm not great at sunfish, but I'd think

 

P-Seed

Green

Green

[NateTessler13]

Your second fish (picture #3) looks like a hybrid between a pumpkinseed and a green sunfish.  Your third fish (picture #4) is a green sunfish.  Your first fish (picture #1 and #2) appear to be either a female pumpkinseed or a redear sunfish...I struggle with teasing those apart sometimes when they're young.

[Sean Phillips]

First two pictures look like pure Pumpkinseed. Third picture looks like a Green X Pumpkinseed and the last picture looks like a pure Green.

[Sunfish Catcher 321]

I agree with Sean.

[centrarchid]

Images 1 and 2 of a hybrid bluegill (possibly involving pumpkinseed)

Image 3 of male green x bluegill or bluegill x green

Image 4 of Green Sunfish in the purest form

[Matt DeLaVega]

Images 1 and 2 of a hybrid bluegill (possibly involving pumpkinseed)

Image 3 of male green x bluegill or bluegill x green

Image 4 of Green Sunfish in the purest form

Can you tell us why you came to these conclusions?

 

I saw 1 and 2 Pseed

3 Pseed x green

4 green.

I have way less experience and was simply going on what they look like phenotype wise. I have not seen the crosses that you have produced and therefore positively know the lineage.

[centrarchid]

Stronest evidence for first fish being a bluegill x pumpkin is the combination of small mouth, red trim to opercular tab, and irregular mottling on the operculum.  Overall dark body also typical of bluegill but pattern not typical bluegill.

 

The second fish has the blotchy / wavy pattern intermediate between green and bluegill plus with brown.  Opercular tab also larger that pumpkinseed would promote.  Pumpkin x green will have the wavy pattern on operculam just like both parents although base coloration will be lighter.

 

 

Having pure from the same location, same size, and gender really helps pick out differences.  Same location has more weight than generally realized especially when considering how variable bluegill are across their range.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Makes good enough sense to me. Thanks.