25 replies to this topic

[elting44]

Yeah, I havent read it yet but there was an article written in American Currents Summer 2016 that claimed Longear and Northern Sunfish were similar to such a degree that there wasn't a difference genetically. A theory was proposed that the sample was too narrow. I tend to agree with @centrarchid that pumpkinseeds be included in a follow up study.

Cichlids in Central America have similar variations within a genus that have slight variations between regions and watersheds. That make it tough to identify fish even when the collection point is known.

For example, recently 3 previously seperate species of convict cichlids were determined to be the same species and were reclassified as such, and then the claim was refuted and I am not sure what is generally accepted currently.

Amatitlania sp. Kanna, Amatitlania Siquia were combined under the Amatitlania Nigrofasciata banner.

At the end of the day it's a nice looking sunfish regardless of what latin word you want to assign to it

[juhason]

I think he's a full pumpkinseed, not a hybrid (photo in post #17)

 

 

Yeah, I havent read it yet but there was an article written in American Currents Summer 2016 that claimed Longear and Northern Sunfish were similar to such a degree that there wasn't a difference genetically. A theory was proposed that the sample was too narrow. I tend to agree with @centrarchid that pumpkinseeds be included in a follow up study.

Cichlids in Central America have similar variations within a genus that have slight variations between regions and watersheds. That make it tough to identify fish even when the collection point is known.

For example, recently 3 previously seperate species of convict cichlids were determined to be the same species and were reclassified as such, and then the claim was refuted and I am not sure what is generally accepted currently.

Amatitlania sp. Kanna, Amatitlania Siquia were combined under the Amatitlania Nigrofasciata banner.

At the end of the day it's a nice looking sunfish regardless of what latin word you want to assign to it

Very interesting! I know that when I first pulled him out of the water I was 100% certain he was a pumpkinseed. It was only later after I brought him home that I noticed he looked very different from my other pumpkinseed. Is it possible that two pumpkinseeds pulled from the exact same location could look so different? 

Regardless, I'd have to agree that he is a beautiful fish no matter what he is and I'm glad I have him

[gerald]

Yes  they certainly can look different, based on age, sex, social dominance, and genetic variability.  P-seeds have been farmed and stocked for a century or more, with brood stock taken from various places throughout their range.  Most wild populations are now likely to be a mix of native pseeds hybridized with ones from other places. Breed them and raise up a batch, and you'll find quite a bit or variation between siblings from one spawning.

[juhason]

Yes  they certainly can look different, based on age, sex, social dominance, and genetic variability.  P-seeds have been farmed and stocked for a century or more, with brood stock taken from various places throughout their range.  Most wild populations are now likely to be a mix of native pseeds hybridized with ones from other places. Breed them and raise up a batch, and you'll find quite a bit or variation between siblings from one spawning.

Very cool! Didn't know they varied so much. Well I definitely want to go back and try to find more like him hehe

[ttommyp]

Thanks for the tip!! Now that im making a bit more money I definitely think im going to invest in an LED strip because that will also let me play with the intensity and I can see what makes my sunfish look best. Would love to have to no longer deal with the brown algae as well lol. I believe Chicago tap water is pretty high so you may be on to something there too

I have the finex planted 24/7 plus LED and a 54w x 2 t5 fixture on my planted 75 longear tank. In my experience the taller plants under the LED fixture get COVERED with green velvet algae. It seems that the algae thrives in the lower intensity light. I also recently switched my tropical 20gl, which never had an algae problem, from a florescent fixture to a LED strip and what do ya know? Algae...... As I said, it seems the algae thrives in the lower intensity light. But yes the colors that come out of the fish under the LED are no comparison. Choose your battles lol

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[juhason]

I have the finex planted 24/7 plus LED and a 54w x 2 t5 fixture on my planted 75 longear tank. In my experience the taller plants under the LED fixture get COVERED with green velvet algae. It seems that the algae thrives in the lower intensity light. I also recently switched my tropical 20gl, which never had an algae problem, from a florescent fixture to a LED strip and what do ya know? Algae...... As I said, it seems the algae thrives in the lower intensity light. But yes the colors that come out of the fish under the LED are no comparison. Choose your battles lol

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Oh man haha you can never win! I prefer to have my fish look great I guess so I think I'm going to stick with the LED lol