Sunfish id thread

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suepahfly

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 4, 2007
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Honor, MI
I caught this guy about 2 weeks ago and put him in with my goldfish. Once I get my pond set up I will put him and my goldfish in there. The day after I caught him he was taking worms from my hand. Now he's eating krill from my hand. Really cool fish.

Anyways, I can't tell if he is a bluegill or a green sunfish. If someone could let me know that would be great. Also could you tell me how you identified it.

Thanks, Lucas

p.s. I know the pics are huge :)

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How big is the mouth?
Bluegills have alot smaller mouths.
But it just looks like a stressed out Green Sunfish to me.
 
ivebeencanceled;1051744; said:
How big is the mouth?
Bluegills have alot smaller mouths.
But it just looks like a stressed out Green Sunfish to me.
Click to expand...

Are you kidding? that looks nothing like a greensunfish....

its a Bluegill. green sunfish look like mini Oscars with the colors of JD's.
 
Bluegill and here's why.

First this I notice is the dark spot on the soft dorsal. Only three sunfish have this....bluegill, green sunfish and bantam sunfish.

Next I notice the very long pectoral fin that extends beyond the eye when moved forward. This really is the end of the debate but the small mouth confirms the ID. Both bantam and green sunfish have larger mouths and shorter pectoral fins.

I'd advise Peterson's Field guide to Freshwater Fishes. Very inexpensive and covers all the fish (at least all but the "new" ones).

AAAMODMFK.jpg
 
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