Here is a pic of a 8 inch gill i found in pond today..I have seen this in lakes and other ponds over the years and all other fis seem ok..My pond is 3/4 acre with 1/3 being 2-3 feet,1/3 being 4-6 feet, and the last 1/3 being 7-10 feet..I have a healthy food chain of fathead minnows, bluegill and redears, and bass with 3 sizes of catfish as well from 7-8 pounds down to 1/2 pound on the cats..Bass are 3-4 pounds down to 4-5 inches..gills and redears are 10-11 inches down to 1 inch..Just wanted to know what causes this fungus type infection...I'm thinking bacteria in a wound?? Thanks for any input and love this forum...David.
I'd say winter stress, possibly exacerbated by a local injury. I see a little of this every year. I wouldn't be concerned. Welcome to the forum, Blue Moon!
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
Yes very likey some sort of injury or scrape where the slime layer was not replaced quickly due to cold water conditions of winter - and cold water fungus is now growing on the area of the injury.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
Is this the same thing happening to my Bluegill. I found 2 today that seemed to have their tails rotting and missing flesh near the tail. Both fish were very slimy to the touch and nearly dead
Small numbers of fish will die from winter stress. You will find them surfacing and rotting come spring. It is normal to see small numbers of fish dead at the end of winter. They will often look like the posted fish. Unless in large numbers, say dozens then I wouldn't worry.
