The main difference between bluegill and redear is their physical characteristics. Bluegill have an orange/yellow sheen stemming from an olive coloration while redear, or shellcracker, have a more silver sheen and can appear to be almost white in color. Redear also have an additional red mark on the operculum, or gill ears, which is used to differentiate the two species. Additionally, redear are typically larger in size than bluegill.
What kind of fish is a redear?
The redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) native to the southeastern U.S. It is also known as the shellcracker, Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish and sun perch. It is distinguished from other sunfish by its longer, more pointed ear flap. The redear sunfish is typically olive green to brown in color and has dark vertical bars. It has an orange to red or yellow-orange margin on the ear flap and around the gill cover. It can grow up to 12 inches in length and can live up to 8 years.
What is another name for red ear sunfish?
Redear sunfish is also known as shellcracker, Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish, and sun perch.
Is bream and bluegill the same?
Yes, the terms ‘bream’ and ‘bluegill’ are often used interchangeably to refer to the same species, Lepomis macrochirus. This is a type of freshwater fish that is a member of the sunfish or panfish family. It is a popular game fish and is commonly found in ponds, lakes, and streams throughout North America.
How do you tell if a fish is a bluegill?
To identify a bluegill fish, look for a compressed, round body that is typical of the sunfishes. The color is highly variable, but many range from dark blue on the back to yellowish on the sides and belly. The dorsal fin is deeply notched, and the tail is deeply forked. The lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw, and the lower jaw and chin are dark blue. Bluegills also have a dark spot at the base of the soft dorsal fin and a black spot at the base of the tail. Additionally, the pectoral fins of a bluegill are usually pointed, rather than rounded.