Rock and Smallie Hybrids

[grubman]

Hi all

I wanted to know if anyone else has seen these hybrids. When I first caught them it occured to me that something was a little off about the Rock Bass. The dark bands/spots were faded and not as well defined as normal rockies are. Then I was told by a local angler that the Rockies and the Smallies have interbread. Everything about them is like a Rockie; fight, size and taste. I don't have a copy of the fishing Regs, what do they fall under Rockie or Smallie? It would suck if they are same as Smallie, with a C license limit is only 2.
I first caught them in the Bay of Quinte and noticed that almost all Rockies are like this. When I went to Rice Lake, the Rockies there look like normal Rock Bass. Looks like the female Smallies choose Rockies over their own kind.
I just wonder if anyone else has come across this. Here is a pic from a guy in New York State. The next time I catch one I'll post a pic.

Thanks to all who respond.

 

[ScugogBassFisher2011]

Hi all

I wanted to know if anyone else has seen these hybrids. When I first caught them it occured to me that something was a little off about the Rock Bass. The dark bands/spots were faded and not as well defined as normal rockies are. Then I was told by a local angler that the Rockies and the Smallies have interbread. Everything about them is like a Rockie; fight, size and taste. I don't have a copy of the fishing Regs, what do they fall under Rockie or Smallie? It would suck if they are same as Smallie, with a C license limit is only 2.
I first caught them in the Bay of Quinte and noticed that almost all Rockies are like this. When I went to Rice Lake, the Rockies there look like normal Rock Bass. Looks like the female Smallies choose Rockies over their own kind.
I just wonder if anyone else has come across this. Here is a pic from a guy in New York State. The next time I catch one I'll post a pic.

Thanks to all who respond.

That looks like a rockbass to me... I don't think it will count towards the small mouth/lm bass limit. It's still a pan fish rock bass.

 

[ScugogBassFisher2011]

In fact, I don't think that's a hybrid at all. Maybe the rock bass you are fishing in the lake you are fishing have grow to be much larger, the maximum record for rock bass is 3 pounds I think. But based on the eyes and head and the patterns of the fish, the fish you are holding in your hands is clearly a rock bass, not a hybrid... I have caught many of them just like that in my fishing experiences, some a lot smaller though. The occasional large one.

 

[ScugogBassFisher2011]

What do we do with them?

1) Release them
2) Eat them

 

[Drop_Shot]

Yah that's just a regular rock bass. Depends on mood and habitat, their colours change to match their surroundings or mood.

 

[Alfiegee]

I gotta go with drop shot on this one. Looks like a rock bass to me. Rockies have the ability to blend in with their cover, which is good for them when toothie critters like pike and muskie are trying to eat them. I have caught rockies that ranged in color from brown, to green to almost yellow, with many different markings. They adapt to their habitat.

Alfie.

 

[punkrockerpj]

yeah, thats a regular rock bass... i've caught smallies with red eyes before as well.
i used to eat rock bass as a kid... not great eating to be honest...

 

[Joel52]

Rock Bass
http://www.fishweb.com/recreation/fishing/fishfacts/fish/rock_bass/rock_bass.html

 

[salmotrutta]

Rockbass and Smallies are so different in size, it would be impossible for them to cross breed.

 

[punkrockerpj]

check out this link....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGFGmYHbXno

im pretty sure bass is a part of the sunfish family (similar body structure). im pretty sure the chromozome count is the same, allowing them to cross breed. i've caught enough red eyed smallies to make me believe that they do cross breed.

 

[Mykester]

There is more than chromosome count when it comes to whether animals will produce a hybrid.

 

[Dilligaf0220]

Yeah, uh, ALL smallmouth have red eyes.

And your pic isn't any sort of hybrid, it's just a rock bass. I don't know who told you that rockies & smallies hybridize, but they don't.

 

[Alfiegee]

Yeah, uh, ALL smallmouth have red eyes.

And your pic isn't any sort of hybrid, it's just a rock bass. I don't know who told you that rockies & smallies hybridize, but they don't.

yes

Alfe.

 

[punkrockerpj]

doesn't basic science tell us that a chromozome count is the big factor in producing a hybrid?

 

[Mykester]

No, different species have different enzymes in the sperm head and ovum, and if the barriers cant be removed then there won't be any fertilization.

 

[grubman]

I contacted the MNR. Yup you're all right it's just a rocky and their markings fade with season/emotion. That "local" could'nt be more wrong or misguided. Here is part of the MNR's reply:

I know it is very common for many species of sunfish - pumpkinseed, bluegill, additional Lepomis spp. to hybridize, but this is the first time I have ever considered the possibility of rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) interbreeding. Although there is some overlap in the spawning periods, smallmouth are generally finished spawning prior to the peak rock bass spawning time and I would doubt that hybridization between these two species is common or successful.

Thanks everyone for your reply. Good fishing all. :grin:

 

[Dave Bailey]

According to Time Tree the two species diverged 28.9 million years ago, based on genetic evidence. I doubt that they could still interbreed after all that time.

 

[Joel52]

That time is only an estimate...lol