Pumpkinseed Sunfish - PS - Common sunfish, sunny, yellow sunfish.
Mostly northern US distribution into southern Canada and south along eastern US to Georgia. Colorful. Feeds on small snails, insects and fish. Usually does not get quite as big as BG.
Pics from Wisc Fish.
Omaha’s fish ided by Bill as PS
CJ’s pic ided by Bill and CJ as PS
From this link
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=202464&fpart=1 which has PS and RES info WRT hybrids.
Bill’s discussion of the above 4 PS and one possible PS hybrid (hybrid ("top fish" in the discussion below) not copied here).Note the pectoral of bottom fish & CJ's PS reaches past the posterior pelvic fin and to or just about to the base of the anal fin in both fish. As I look a second and third time, more closely at the PS fins, I think the pectoral fin, if laid straight back, will actually reach the base of the anal fin. Look closely for the fine pointed pectoral fin tip in both of the the PS. Whereas the back tip of the pectoral of
top fish does not quite reach the pelvic tip or go past the posterior pelvic and in no way comes close to the base of the anal fin. This can be hard to measure on a picture but in this case it is fairly clear at least to me - maybe not to all.
Also notice that the back tip of the pelvic fin reaches within about or at least 1/4" of the base of the anal fin in both of what I am calling PS. But in the
top fish this distance is at least 1/2"-3/4" or more. This fin distance feature is a consistant feature for individuals of the same species and a good indication that the two with different fin rations are different species. Or the top fish could be a hybrid.
Since the pectoral fin is not as long as it should be in the
top fish and coloration is not what I normally see in a pure PS I conclude it is some sort of hybrid because it does have some PS (or maybe RES) coloration and features.
About top 2 fish pics above (Wisc Fish pics)by John Lyons The pectorial back delicate, narrow tip or end is very hard to see in the bottom pic, but clearer in the top pic. In top fish if fin is laid straight back it will definately reach beyond the pelvic fin and quite close to or to the first spine of the anal fin. If the pectoral fin was well colored on 2nd fish as 1st fish, I think pectoral fins of both fish in the two Lyon's pics would have the same measurement ratios.
Notice in the top fish, the collapsed pelvic fin reaches close and within abt 1/4" of the anal fin base (not a 1/2"-3/4" distance) - similar to earlier pics of what I called PS.
Note I don't think one can use this pectoral fin feature to separate PS and RES. Both have very long pectoral fins. Actually I think the RES pectorial fin is longer in RES compared to PS. Not sure about the distance between the pelvic fin and anal base for RES. BG also have relatvely long pectorial fins but typically not quite as long as RES or PS.
All this stuff can be hard to see in pictures. It is easier to see and measure with a fish in your hand.
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