Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction My perch are dying

My perch are dying, need help, they are red looking around there dorsal fin and there scales are coming off around this area also, this has been going on for a while now, found my first catfish dead today in my pond also.

fishforfun, welcome to the forum. I'm sorry about the conditions that bring you to the forum. Since you're from Texas, your "perch" really aren't perch, are they? They're some sort of sunfish, right?

What has changed in the pond since you started noticing the problem with the fish? (pre problem to post problem) i.e., what's different?

Usually this time of year the pond is clear not murky but the water has never cleared up. I have a windmill that keeps fresh water going into the pond, it has stayed full this year. We tested the ph it was 8.2 and the dissolved oxygen was 10.0, there are quite a few sunfish and catfish in the pond, the pond is roughly 50 feet across and about five feet deep. I have had this pond for five years with no problems. There is no run off into the pond, plus we haven't had a good rain in several months. I can't get an answer on my problem from anyone around here, no one knows.

Someone on here will know. (not me).. Im sure their gonna need alot more info and pics of the fish and pond will help.. Just a heads up..

How have your temperature swings been this winter compared to past ?

We had two really bad cold spells but the fish were dying before that.

Can you post some high quality picture of the fish in general so we can identify the species along with close ups of the injuries?

"A picture is worth a thousand words" is very true in this instance.

Let me chime in here.
From the brief description, it sounds like a stress-induced bacterial infection.
One of your buddies pulled me to the side here at the Texas Outdoor Writers Association conference in Port Aransas and gave me some details...what he knew about it.
It sounds like your fish have been stressed. There are several things that have combined.
When the water temperature rises and falls as dramatically as our has over the last few weeks, that's a stressor to fish.
If you have had a regular feeding program over the last few years, excess feed or natural metabolic wastes have contributed as a stressor.
The solution, for now, is to start feeding the fish as soon as they can eat. Go buy a small package of terramycin at the local feed store and mix it with a small bottle of Karo syrup or vegetable oil. Pour a bag of feed into a tub or wheel barrow. Spread the medicine mixture evenly over the feed and mix it well into the feed. Let it soak in for a few hours and then feed that medicated feed to your fish for at least two weeks. That should put a stop to the bacterial infection.
But, pay close attention to their behavior this spring. If your water is "dirty", with natural pathogens, you will want to consider aeration.