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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 271
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OP
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 271 |
‘‘Twas at the pond this evening looking around before more rain this weekend and took a few pics to document progress made during past few weeks. I see this black “ball” in a couple of the pics after I get home. Cropped it to blow up but still can’t tell much. My signature shows what I’ve stocked. I have lots of tadpoles in shallow water. These remind me of a BH swarm, I’ve seen in my youth. Any ideas what they may be, I haven’t stocked any catfish of any type.
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,241 Likes: 546
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,241 Likes: 546 |
That's the only thing I know of that swarms like that (BH)..
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36 |
I will second a BH swarm.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282 |
Tadpole ball?
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tadpole_ball_from_pookot_lake.JPG
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 271
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OP
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 271 |
Thanks for your opinions, I'm just unfamiliar with the lifecycle of my pond denizens. Hopefully, it's just tadpoles. If it is BH, it's not the end of the world. My main goal is to have a pond to recreate in and around, BH are fun to catch and eat. I could have a real problem like Shorty's chemical kill.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282 |
Always sad to see a fish kill. I had one large one and one small one in my largest pond after snow-covered ice.
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220 |
I've had BH almost since day one. I've also seen plenty of video on BH fry and they almost always seem to be accompanied by an adult when they swim up.
Every time I've seen a ball of BH here they've been 3-5" long, but I haven't seen those for a couple of years now. I know they're spawning, as I get a couple of 6" fish come to feed on pellets. Too small to be my original interlopers.
I'm pretty sure those you photographed are BH with as tight a ball as they've made. May be one reason so many BH fry dont make it....easy pickings.
.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64 Likes: 1
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64 Likes: 1 |
I am not saying it is not bullheads but I have seen tiny lmb school like that before in a very muddy pond. I have never seen them school anywhere else though.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
I've seen FHM herded into a ball by predators as well.
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 271
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OP
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 271 |
Interesting points and possibilities, BH would have to be bucket stocked or hitchhikers in my two FHM purchases. FHM have been in water about 18 months, LMB since last fall. The LMB did have a few 5 to 6 inchers, but most were smaller. Water has yet to be even remotely clear, a few inches at best. Thanks for the thought starters. When the rains calm down I think a worm under a bobber may clear up the BH mystery, unless there are only two of course. My stocking quantities has been under guidelines, slow and steady is my motto.
Last edited by roundy; 05/19/19 09:38 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 349 Likes: 36
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 349 Likes: 36 |
My fhm swarm like that when I put fish food out
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