Response from TPWD - Looks like a Hybrid

Repsonse from TPWD was this one is a hybrid as well

Yep, but also,

We have in Texas two other "perches" "perch" a name that is widely misused in all fish circles. The above reference to "sunfish" for all the fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) belonging to the Genus Lepomis is correct.

Two more "perch" in Texas freshwaters includes the logperch (Percina caprodes) and Pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus). Both of these are diminutive fishes (minners) not commonly seen unless being looked for.

Oh the fish pics, I'm with the first guy that answered, he got it right.

Lesson in fish taxonomy done for today, I'm going back to bass, ponds and OT.

PS, yall got the smart folks here in this group.

Absolutely 100% bluegill, a male and has a lot of the "coppernose" sub variety of bluegill in it, hence the long opercular flap.

Then again, looking close it does have some resemblance in the face to a longear, but its a bluegill.

Looks more like a punkinseed to me.....maybe a hybrid bluegill longear but I doubt it.

Just a note, just because somebody works for TPWD as a biologist does not mean they know what kind of fish they are looking at. Same for me. Only a taxonomist would truly be an expert.

I have seen TPWD biologist make some pretty stupid calls. Its been years, but for quite awhile a blue tilapia was "Certified" by a TPWD biologist as the "State Record Rio Grande Perch" (what? another perch?) AKA Texas cichlid, also not a perch, not a sunfish, a cichlid.

Yall are more fun than the bass folks....

Great stuff Fishbreeder!!! Thanks for adding your input to the conversation.

And yes this is the greatest group on any forum. Not only are they extremely knowledgeable, but better yet, there ain't an elitist in the bunch.

This has been a great thread. Thanks for sharing all the knowledge.

Whoever confirmed that as a longear didn't know what he was talking about. It is very clearly not a longear. It is a hybrid fo some sort. Just because someone works for TP&WD, or is even a biologist with them, doesn't mean they know everything about fish. TP&WD has books that tell you step-by-step how to distinguish between different species of fish, and it is a rather involved process, including counting each scale on the lateral line. I know because I have taken more than one to them for this type of confirmation.

I will simply consider your source. Have a nice day!

Just by looking through some of these threads I learned a few things, that, yes I'll say it....even I did not know. I am almost 60 year old fisheries biologist with a lot of mileage. Sometimes I can't figure out if I didn't know something or just forgot...

I've always loved sunfish, especially the more obscure species. I do a lot of electrofishing in bass lakes, and most are really boring....bass, bluegill, shad, maybe some tilapia. Its fun the first time, but real quick its just another job. When we get to do an oxbow, creek or river and catch all manner of species, its tons of more fun.

This groups enthusiasm for multiple species, rather than just one species and all that matters is size (ie. bass) is much more attractive to me in my "off time." I should drop by more regular....

Anybody ever catch a flier (Centrarchus macropterus)?

I agree with the other guys in that TPWD doesnt always know what they are talking about. They dont actually have the fish in their possession as none of us do except the angler who caught it. that being said Im gonna stick to my guns on this one as a Longear. It looks very similar to some of the Longear that I catch often.

This last fish is a Longear! The fish in question was the one "Banker" posted saying that it was identified by Parks&Wildlife as a Longear. That is the fish in question. I think Parks&Wildlife are right on the money as for that I.D. I can also agree that the sunfish are inner spawning with other species in their family. Just saying!

Plus #1. Defiantly a Longear!


Side Note: Despite the differences of opinions this thread is AWESOME! When you can learn about fish that is what a forum is all about. We all are going to have different opinions. Keep sharing em!

Am I the only one who uses the term "bream"?

Around here you may be. Most folks here are pretty species specific. I have a bad habit of calling them all Bluegill so don't feel left out.