Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Crappie Kill

I've been fighting Yellow/brown algae for about 4 years. I treated with copper sufate a couple days ago and have been picking up 3-4 inch black crappie from the bank. Seems to be the only fish affected.
I want a fishable supply of them, so it made me sick when I saw this! Most bass are 2 lb or better. There are several 5lb or better. The bluegill are "palm sized", I have redear, but only see them when they are spawning....seldom catch them. Usually catch 5 or so crappie per year. I am assuming the bass are keeping them in check?
Is this an oxygen issue? Or are crappie more suseptable to copper sulfate?

Also, we no longer have a fish supplier in our area. I was wanting to add some channel cats and would love to have some rockbass/warmouth, plus I want to keep supplying fatheads. Is there anyone in my area? Southwest Indiana....Evansville area.
How does shipping work?

That is very strange ~ if it were oxygen related the biggest fish die first. Usually kills after treating with chemicals is oxygen related because the decomposing plant matter uses all the dissolved oxygen. The fact that it was only one species of fish makes me think it is disease related... Do you have any dead fish that you can send for analysis?

How much cooper did you use, what form--granulated or liquid? I think it's no coincidence you lost fish around the same time and they are of the size one typically finds in shallow water where you treated. Maybe you sprayed them directly?

Is your water soft or hard?

I would pretty much discount oxygen issues in open cold water. I also wouldn't get too upset if they were just a few small fish and not your larger fish that are in deeper water.

How about Andry's Fish Farm? I know he delivers all over the state and is located in the southern half. He's on the web.

So far they have been smaller 3-4 inch crappie. I used granular. Im willing to bet that it was directly. I found 1 that was about 8 inches.
Where should I have the specimens sent?

I will contact Andry's, Thanks

Purdue ADDL if you want to waste your time and money. There won't be any sense of urgency on their part and by the time they get back to you your problem will be long over with. Sorry, telling you like it is from personal experience as one that has had fish tested and being involved in the aquaculture field.

Sounds like acute copper poisoning that was sprayed directly on winter stressed fish. Stop spraying and your deaths should subside.

Are you using a chelated copper?

Most problems with fish are due to stress caused directly or indirectly by the pond owner, whether it be too much and too large an area applied of herbicides, too many fish and or improper stocking and/or planting the wrong kind of fish and the problems that come with that, preventable pond turn overs, etc. We are our own worst enemy at times myself included. Many of us have become fairly skilled pond managers by making mistakes or learning from the mistakes of others.

Yes, That sounds like what has happened. As you say, we learn from our mistakes, and I made a mistake! Thanks for the info!

Cecil have you found crappie slightly more sensitive to these kinds of issues?

I don't have much experience with crappie but my guess is Roger had some in the weeds or algae and he sprayed them directly. They may have been lethargic in the cold water and didn't get out of the way fast enough.

That's what seems to have been the issue. rookie mistake!

Roger, I "re earn" my rookie status on quite a few occasions.