Redbreast Sunfish in ponds

[BassShephard]

I caught a few Redbreast Sunfish at a creek yesterday something I haven't done in years, these were some of the brightest and healthiest looking ones I've caught, they were some pretty fish compared to Bluegill.  I was wondering if you can stock these fish with Bluegill/Redear without causing problems (from hatcheries not the wild sunfish), from what I read they eat the same things as bluegill and redear which could be a problem but could feeding prevent that?  I also read they spawn in June, that is after the last blue gill spawn right?  Another fish I've heard people stocking are the topical fish Tilapia is that safe?  I ask cause I like diversity in a pond and want something more besides the typical LM bass, bluegill, redear and channel cat.

[Thai]

they should be fine, you'll actually see that they will hybridlize quite easily with other lepomis species and tilapia wont survive the cold weather we have up here

[RoLo]

The last time I caught redbreast sunfish, was in the Delaware River between Jersey and Pennsy.

They eagerly struck topwater lures meant for bass...I miss those gutsy buggers.

I personally would not transplant them to any pond, because the redbreast sunfish is basically a stream fish.

Unlike largemouth bass, they won't make it in a landlocked bass pond because they have a high dissolved oxygen requirement.

On balance, if the pond isn't suited for smallmouth bass, the redbreast sunfish will have little chance.

Roger

[BassShephard]

The pond is around 5 acres (maybe more) creek fed (small creek). I've seen some Fish Hatcheries selling them.

[seyone]

I know nothing about stocking them, but they are a lot of fun to catch on ultra light tackle. There are a lot of them in the creeks and streams around me. They are a beautiful fish.

[RoLo]

If redbreasts are said to spawn during June in Virginia, that would pretty much coincide with bluegills.

Actually, bluegills spawn several times during the bedding season, probably throughout July in Virginia.

Redbreast sunfish are said to eat invertebrates, so that shouldn't cause any problem with redears

which eat mollusks. Bluegills and redbreasts however, do have a similar diet, but the redbreasts

would most likely gravitate to the feeder creek. As for tilapia, I don't know if their range extends to Virginia,

but in many lakes here in Florida, tilapia, redear and bluegills all coexist well together (ex redbreasts).

With regard to the redbreast's chance of survival, I would ask the Fish Hatchery that question.

If the pond has an ample rate of water exchange it just might support redbreast sunnies.

In any event, I wish you the best of luck, that's a very kool project.

Roger

[BassShephard]

@RoLo good idea actually, I Imagine redbreast raised in fish farms should do alright, I've seen the creeks dry up into just pools of water and they survived.  I'm mostly worried about how they will effect the blue gill/redear.

@seyone I agree there not quite as big as bluegill but They fight hard to be so small and they're really pretty.  Its also interesting watching them go after the bait, I notice they dart out of logs and rocks hit the bait then they may make a 2nd run before taking the bait.  This spring I plan to get a flyrod I expect to have fun catching these guys.