Hybrid Sunfish

There are 11 different species of sunfish. Hybrid sunfish can consist of a female redear sunfish bred with a male bluegill, resulting in only 2% females. They demonstrate high growth rates and are considered a good forage species to stock in small ponds. Hybrid sunfish exhibit hybrid vigor that can be observed through high growth rates, greater acceptance to formulated feeds, higher tolerance to cooler water temperature and poor environmental conditions.

Description: See Bluegill or redear sunfish

Biology and Life History: Hybrid sunfish exhibit the same patterns and life history as bluegill. They are considered hardy in wild environments, but susceptible to disease when grown at high densities.

Stocking: Hybrid sunfish stocking has been around since the 1940s. There are two methods of producing hybrid sunfish. One is to stock a brood stock in ponds for natural reproduction. This is the most common production method. To prevent contamination from existing sunfish populations drying the pond and eradicating all existing fish is recommended.  After a pond has been prepared, mature male and female sunfish over 2 years of age should be selected and stocked into the pond at a ratio of 1:1 male to female, and a rate of 30  to 40 pairs per acre. The second method is intensive hatchery culture. Eggs from one or more mature females are stripped and then mixed with milt from one or more males. Mix with water and within 2 minutes fertilization should occur.

 

Adapted From:

http://www.thefishsite.com/articles/281/species-profile-hybrid-sunfish