Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Bluegill Sores

I have a three acre pond with bass, bluegill and redear. Recently I have caught a number of 8 to 9 inch bluegill with a quarter sized sore on their side. The sore is always about the middle of the fish and is a open sore with what looks like some infection and bleeding. In a few cases, the area affected includes part of the fin which is disolved. The only thing I have ever seen like it was the mark left from an eel attached to a bass at Kentucky lake. Any ideas what could cause this in my pond? Should I remove any fish with this condition? I have pictures but I'm not sure how to post a picture. Thanks.

Are they males? It's probably bacteria attacking your fish basically due to stress and injuring from spawning. I recently had this happen to a few bluegills I hauled a few weeks ago. Injury due to hauling caused it.

If they are males it occurs from nest building and fighting off other fish. Spawning season is stressful on fish. With our water temps going up as rapidly as they have, any injury or removal of the mucous layer makes them a prime target for bacterial infections.

This should not affect all your fish, and will peak out and stop. Doubtful if it is contagious as fish that are not injured will not be effected.

Another Northern Indiana hoosier

Cecil, Thanks for the post. The fish are all males. Perhaps it a spawning issue. I'm still seeing a lot of fish with attached parasites. Until yesterday it was only bluegill. Yesterday I also found them on redears. Any thoughts on elimating these parasites?