Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Recovered Injured Fish

Dr. Dave brought up spinal injuries to trout in electroshocking trout in a pond , and it made me realize I have almost certainly seen BG, RES, and LMB which had recovered from spinal injuries. The fish I suspect of this condition have an "offset" in there body/tail most of the way back to the tail fin (always behind the ribcage). On the ones I have cleaned, the offset is definitely in the backbone. I see a couple of these a year, so the occurence is (way) under 1% of the fish population.

For Dr. Dave or other experts - I am correct that these are healed spinal injuries?

For everyone - how often have you seen fish like this?

Theo, I have always thought that the curved spine were from developmental issues as a fry, somewhat similar to spina bifada. I would be interested to know whether these are something develpomental, genetic, or from a recovered spinal injury.

I catch one or two LMB like that every year, the last one was 10 days ago at a public lake in Iowa. I like to call them "stumpy tail bass".

Hi guys. Yes, the spinal deformities can be "natural" as well. Sorry for the delay -- I'm at Auburn University this week! Very cool for me -- never been here before, and glad to see their amazing facilities and visit with their great people!!

Dave you will have to give us a report on the trip when you get time. Go by and see American Sportfish hatchery (nearby) if you have time and quiz them on the Tiger LMB. Tell them inquiring minds want to know.

Ewest -- I didn't get to see anything other than Auburn related facilities. They kept us busy from 7 am to 11 pm or later each night, and that did NOT involve any imbibing.

Auburn University has one of the "legacy" fisheries program in the country. As I said, I had never been there before, and it was as impressive as I had expected. They have 20 people on faculty in their fisheries department! This includes the fish culture people, the water quality people, the fisheries maangement people, and fish genetics experts. Each group has world-class people. Like everywhere, the faculty are working their tails off, and money is always tight. Sort of a strange contrast that you see in most universities these days.

The Auburn fish culture people have literally "fed the world" over the years. If you take all the people who have been helped by Auburn international programs, those trained as graduate students at Auburn, and those who have benefited from Auburn training courses, well, that will encompass a big part of the culture industry (and water quality component) around the world. The fisheries management people are the best in the country, and really work hard for the state agency down there (as well as a few other states). The fish genetics group is making world-class progress on important topics such as deciphering the channel catfish genome, creating a sufficient supply of channel X blue catfish for the culture industry, and working on transgenic sterilization of fish. Just think what they could do if they solve that last problem: improved fish culture because no energy diverts to sexual maturation, we can use hybrid sport fish in public waters without fear of genetic introgression of wild populations, and the pond owners can buy fish that keep growing rather than mature sexually.

That's what Bruce is doing in his male only BG pond. Just kidding. I am sure they are doing a great job. A long way from one guy ( H. Swingle) working on figuring out pond fish and their interrelationships.

I wonder what effect large populations of transgenic sterilized fish, who are not limited by the need to reproduce and can thus out compete native fish for food, as a result of their greater size and condition, will make on native populations? Will those super TG LMB feed so prodigiously that they will destroy the native shad populations not accustomed to that degree of predation? Much yet to learn and master.

Amen!!

7am -11 pm, that lives plenty of time to drive the 2 hrs to Ball Ground, GA to tour the world famous Grimes hatchery and office, on display we have the up and coming star Wyatt Grimes. He will amaze with his sleep patterns and calm demeaner.

Dave that is a cool place and even I a UGA grad have been influenced by it due to both major porfessors studtying under Swingle. Also currently have employee with phD from there.

Theo, we shock about 10 or os fish a year with curved back, humped heads, and curved/shortened tails. I alwyas thought they wre genetic abnormalities and never thought too much about them. The fish in many cases have good body conditions or least comparble to pond population.

That sounds like almost like a pilgrimage, Dr. Dave.

In 2004 & 2005, I caught 2 or 3 RES like this one with what could only be described as "severe underbites." I am pretty sure they were original stockers; since I probably hadn't caught them when they were small I don't think it was deformity from being hooked. I always wondered if it was shipping damage, but removed them in case it was something genetic.

This is pretty blurry, as I hadn't learned much about how to use the digital camera at the time.

Maybe we could find a Dentist with an attraction to Redears to do something about this?

Only surgical intervention will help. There's a procedure called a LaForte Osteotomy that may help. I'll consult with a specialist.

Greg -- I honestly thought about that, as I flew into and out of Atlanta. However, we really did work the whole darn time. We had a fish fry one night, but I couldn't even get a couple hours one evening to try and increase the size of my personal LMB record in one of those Auburn ponds!

Theo -- I guess it actually was. The fisheries professoin is changing so fast that I was really pleased to get a chance to see all of that.

Dave just ribbing with you, sounded like a tight schedule and not much to see here. Glad you enjoyed the tour.