<p>I caught four fish out of the nearby lake this weekend that are new to me. I think they are all the same species and have tentatively identified them as Bluegills. However, sunfish are particularly confusing to me so I would appreciate any input from you all. This is in the <a href="http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=03100206">Tampa Bay Watershed</a> Thanks!</p>
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I've caught different variations of Bluegills like that before. It's amazing they differ so much and even out of the same water. I think there are gender differences too. Your darker one (2nd pic down) might be a male. Females seem to have more of a yellow breast.
I caught one once that was almost all black.
Thanks for the feedback - their variation is pretty interesting actually and that all black one is pretty cool. I went down and got two more examples. One has orangish belly - sort of like the females you mentioned and - I am not sure it came out well, but the second one had a purplish color on its gill plate.
Fishmap.org
fishihavecaught.com
The second one in the second set of pics looks like its a Florida Bluegill. The first four look to be regular bluegills. The very last one in the first set might have some Redear influence.
thanks - is Florida Buegill a subspecies or variation or something?
Fishmap.org
fishihavecaught.com
Docs right Florida Bluegill aka copper nose bluegill
http://www.pondking.com/tag/coppernose-bluegill
thanks for the input- I love this site - I am always learning something new.
Fishmap.org
fishihavecaught.com