Bluegill Sub-Species

[FloridaFly]

I'm no fisheries biologist, but it seems to me that the bluegill we have in Florida are different from the bluegill in the northern states. I have fished in Michigan, Ohio and other northern areas and have caught bluegill that have a slightly different appearance than those in Florida.

In Florida, the bluegill are dark and have a copper-colored area on their heads. I have never seen this in northern bluegill.

Are Florida bluegill a sub-species?

Any thoughts?

Michigan bluegill:



Florida bluegill:

[gerri]

Hi
I am not any expert either but I have always thought that most species have their markings/colors influenced by their surroundings, substances present in the water and diet. As a kid, we fished for sunfish and bluegills in a river tributary very close to the Chesapeake Bay. Those fish were very bright and beautiful however, the fish we have stocked in our mountain pond are not nearly as bright. They are healthy and have increased in size over the years but the colors seem dull to me. I am thinking that perhaps we need to add some more minnows and fresh water clams to improve their diet. In WVa spring comes late and winter comes early so maybe the amount of sunshine and warmth may be a contributing factor too.
Some waters where there is heavy tree canopy and there is tannic acid in the water, the fish are darker. This is an interesting thread and I hope some more folks will join in to share their thoughts.
Gerri

[FishnDave]

The "Coppernose Bluegill" as it is called, is a subspecies and is native to Florida. It grows faster and larger than normal bluegills.

[James Smith]

That said, I also agree with Gerri. I find that there is a significant variation in the coloration of bluegills depending on the water conditions as mentioned. Darker tannic-stained water produces darker less colorful bluegills. I can even see a big difference when catching fish in the same body of water with different conditions. Shallow water with light muddy bottom and lots of sunshine produces pale colored fish, while I can go across to the other side of the lake where the water is 7-8 feet deep and in deep shade and the fish are much darker. I think this may be a defense mechanism to make them less visible to predators especially from above like Herons and Osprey. Just my observations...

Jim Smith

[FloridaFly]

The "Coppernose Bluegill" as it is called, is a subspecies and is native to Florida. It grows faster and larger than normal bluegills.

Thank you, Dave! Source?

[FishnDave]

http://fisheries.tamu.edu/pond-management/species/bluegill/

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/nr/rdonly...orstocking.pdf

http://www.americansportfish.com/?op...d=37&Itemid=63

http://sepond.com/fish-stocking/bluegill

http://bigbluegill.com/profiles/blogs/2036984:BlogPost:5896

And here is a study that was done comparing their growth, survival, and catchability characteristics:
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=2579

[FloridaFly]

Thank you, Dave! Guess my hunch was correct.