Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help trying to ID fish

I stocked my lake last May with the usual bass bluegill and channel cat. Caught what looks like some type of carp. I have a picture if anyone can help I would apreciate it. I can send it via email to anyone who might help.

Thanks Vince

Vince, post it and I bet youll find the answer here on PondBoss

Since we're on the topic of identifying fish, does anyone have photos of bass and bluegill fry? I saw a frenzied, swarm of small fish yesterday. I scooped up a few in a net but I have no idea what they are. I have only stocked bluegill, bass, and minnows...

Email me with the pic. I should be able to identify it for you.

Bryan, Bass are torpedo shaped. Bluegill have a rounded look when viewed from the side. They are also more colorful than a bass.

When we are talking about bass and bgill fry 1/4" -3/4" long (aka larvae), then body shape is very similar for these two species. The bgill does not start to "widen out" or develop into the traditional bgill shape until it is about 1.1" to 1.2" long. Before then the body shape is almost identical to LMbass.

Once the fins are completely developed with any associated spines then the young fish is no longer a "fry" or larvae it is now called fingerling. Granted it is on the very small range of fingerling but it is still fingerling or YOY (young of the year).

Did anyone give Vincent an answer about his "carp" like fish? I never saw the picture.

Bill,

It doesn't appear to be a chub to you? I forwarded the pic to a local biologist to see what his take was. Would be nice to have the fish on hand to key it out wouldn't it?

I forwarded a pic to a local biologist in my district by the name of Jed Pearson. Here was his response. I will get back to you and tell you what they all say.

"Cecil,
I've sent the photo around to all the biologists this morning and
haven't got any other opinions other than Dave Kittaka's that is it a
striped shiner. To me it looks like a large common shiner but there
aren't enough scales in front of the dorsal fin. I'll let you know if I
here from anyone else.
Jed"

Cecil, sent it to me. Thanks.

Ok, I am throwing my guess at Vince's 'catch' into the pot:

Luxilus Albeolus aka Notropis Albeolus (White Shiner)

I might be able to ID it for you if you send me the picture. If it is either the striped shiner or the common shiner, then it is likely the striped shiner if you live in the St. Louis area (this is assuming that the fish entered your pond from a small creek that was dammed to make your pond). The striped shiner is found from St. Louis heading south toward the Ozarks. The common shiner is found from Columbia west towards Sedalia, Kansas City, and north toward Chillicothe. Distribution maps aren't always 100% accurate, but they're usually a good start. I would need a photo that is taken from the top looking down on the fish and another photo from bottom looking up (especially under the chin). Send what you have and I'll see if I can help you.

The "fish" is either a common or striped shiner. Both are very similar as Shawn eludes to. When I was first in this "business" the striped shiner was a subspecies of the common shiner. Then some fish taxonomist decided they were separate species. Very little difference between the two fishes. Longitidunal Stripes across the back is about the only difference between the two species.