Bluegill Maturity
- Thread starter JEAE21
- Start date
most sunfish grow at about 1" per month, (thats with heavy feeding) but i think it takes them about 6 weeks to get to about 3/4" or 1" (i have never kept sunnies under about 1/2") (my longears that spawned years ago ate the fry before any developed) I would think that the BG are under 6 months, commonly refered to as YOY (young of the year)
they should be getting down to business this spring though, keep feeding them, they will grow fast
they should be getting down to business this spring though, keep feeding them, they will grow fast
Bluegills are generally sexually mature in the second year. They can breed at as small as just over 3" in high population waters. This tendency to breed at such small sizes in crowded conditions is one of the reasons that BG are often considered pest fish.
Second year means the year following the year they hatched. 3" is very small but in very crowded waters with high population densities bluegills are one species that "stunts". Next year fry that were released at one-two inches should be 4-6 inches depending on conditions so the year after you should find ones large enough to be really fun to catch. It is quite possible that some will spawn next spring but don't count on it, these are late in the year to be so small.
As a caution, unless that pond is isolated and private you can get into serious trouble doing unauthorized stocking, including shifting populations from one body of water to another. Check your local laws.
As a caution, unless that pond is isolated and private you can get into serious trouble doing unauthorized stocking, including shifting populations from one body of water to another. Check your local laws.
Thanks. I netted them in a reservoir..it is on of the smallest around here but it's still HUGE enough to not get them stunted..i'm sure. it's a small lake with a big bass reputation!
thanks guppy but it's private, lol. we've got guppys in them too!
oh yeah off-topic but..guppys are fish that give birth inside them right? I have a guppy with a HUGE belly..it's been like that for almost 4weeks but do you think there are fish in her stomache? i don't have any plants in the tank though.. can the babies eat the mom alive, inside out?
thanks guppy but it's private, lol. we've got guppys in them too!
oh yeah off-topic but..guppys are fish that give birth inside them right? I have a guppy with a HUGE belly..it's been like that for almost 4weeks but do you think there are fish in her stomache? i don't have any plants in the tank though.. can the babies eat the mom alive, inside out?
hmt321;1188330; said:
You have seen that kind of growth in sunfish? Wow, I haven't. I currently have 7 species of sunfish and none of those species was particularly quick growing except for the largemouth bass. I would say 4" a year is more likely, at least with pumpkinseeds, longears, rock bass and the others I have experiance with.
As for bluegill I would say they reach maturity at 2-3 years of age and about 3-5" in length.