Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help What killed this fish?

I was doing my daily stroll around the pond and found this, it was still limp, with it's throat gone. I've been having to scare off a Heron lately, don't think I have any real predator fish. Mayba a turtle after it died but it's awfully fresh. Thanks
Charlie

Could be just about anything but something did dine on it after the fact. I've seen crows even dine on a dead fish. They go for the organs and other internal soft tissue first.

I doubt a heron killed the fish due to the fact a yellow perch of this size usually stays too deep and close to the bottom for a heron to reach. The only exception may be when they come into shallow water to spawn in early spring.

If this is the only fish you've seen I wouldn't be concerned. Like a southern fish producer once said, "Sometimes fish just daaaa!"

Like Cecil said, after the fact. I'd put money on a turtle.

I had a few die lately, mostly yp, 1 LMB. Thats why I got on the aerator project, working my way up on the start up. Maybe this guy?

Could be but I hope you don't harm him as like we said it's most likely after the fact.

It's nice to have a clean up crew around. I have crows that do some clean up too.

Once the fish dies, the turtles start on the clean up operations. But I would seriously doubt that the turtle caused the demise. Well, maybe if the fish was sick the turtle might have a hand in it.

I wouldn't harm him anyhow, over the years I have relocated a few snappers. I was really just wondering what killed it if it was a predator, I guess it was a DO problem. I've been learning alot lately, need to work on the leaf litter/nutrient prob. next. Thanks for everyone's input.
Charlie

No picture here, happened so fast I couldn't get to my camera. I happened to look out the back window overlooking my dock and feeder and there was a heron standing there watching the bluegill that were eating Aquamax as the feeder had just gone off. The heron stared into the water for a few seconds and then hopped off of the dock and grabbed a good size bluegill. The heron flew about 60 yards down the bank and started to eat the fish. I yelled at him hoping he would drop the fish and perhaps I could rescue it. When I yelled he took off again and flew another 100 yards or so and ate the fish. Interesting to watch but I know when the feeders go off and I will be waiting.

Bing,

Put you up a staked mono strand to keep him out of the water and watch the bewildered look. Or even more fun would be to put up an electrical fence and watch the heron do a break dance. A scarecrow attached to a pressure tank would be fun to watch too.

I no longer apply for a permit or shoot 'em. Just isn't necessary and it's only a temporary fix and won't do anything if you're not there.

Frogholler,

What kind of turtle is that btw?

I really don't know, he's not aggressive. Nothing like the snappers I've gotten out of there. Big painted? He's a hoss though.
Charlie

Could it be a female Northern Red-bellied Cooter? (picture at http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53467 )

Sure looks like it could be, thanks. I looked it up in Md's dnr site , their pic must be a younger one with more color on the shell, That link was right on the money, and sure fits where I live, which is close to a fresh to brackish river. She must like it here. Thanks again.
Charlie

She is beautiful! I found this site:

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/pdf/cooter.pdf

that goes into more detail. Per the article, it appears that she may have chosen your place for her nest - you must really have a great place!