Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Red Tailed Bass

My water is still very clear and I am able to inspect my fish very closely during feeding time. I am easily able to identify 4-5 individuals by their heron scars. Anyway, tonight I noticed that 75% of my LMB have a red patch at the base of their caudal fin. Their behavior seems normal and growth rate is good. The spawn has ended although I noticed one fish on a bed tonight. Two weeks ago this condition was limited to 3-4 fish, which I thought was from being caught. What gives?

I'm seeing the same thing in my pond here in northern Indiana although the spawn is almost over. The redness on the bottom of the caudal fin is normal from the stress of spawning, and quickly warming waters cause bacteria to flourish on certain parts of stressed fish. In fact, in some cases fish can be so stressed so much they die after spawning. However I usaully see this with some of my bluegills.

It's usually the males as they make and fan the bed, but contrary to popular believe it's not limited to males.

As a fish taxidermist I see this every year at this time when bass are brought in. In fact, I like to paint in a reddened area on the bottom of the caudal fin to add realism.

So you've had problems with the herons too eh? It's seems to have been especially bad this year with a late spring leaving the herons in short supply of food. However, I think I've got them whipped now or they are finding feed somewhere else. All spring I have been sicking the dog on them (she's 1 1/2 the times the size of a normal German Shepard and is part collie), and I installed a heat sensing "scarecrow" sprayer on the pier. Anything that sets foot in front of this "scarecrow" within 35 feet gets blasted. On top of that I have driven two foot stakes around the pond in shallow water and connected 10 lb. mono a foot off the water at least two times all the way around the pond. The idea is they don't like walking into the line and won't step over it if it is a foot off the water. Additionally the outside of the mono is too deep to wade. I haven't seen any wading herons at all.

Thanks Cecil, the spawn was my first guess but this is my first year with fish in the tank and I'm a little paranoid. I've used two scarecrows situated 180 degrees around the pond, which has kept the blue herons away for 3-4 weeks. I don't think too many of my 10-inch bass survived the blue attack. The green herons are another story and I believe wound a few fish. We have bass with dorsal fins torn off, punture wounds etc. The greens are not impressed by the scarecrows (or me for that matter) and will only retreat to nearby trees and squawk at me (even with loud explosions coming from my direction). I don't expect them to bother me forever.

Steve,

I am still seeing red in areas on my larger bass not just the caudal fin. And it is not limited to the bottom of the caudal fin but up higher in the fin and on the side of the body. Can't help but wondering if I'm not dealing with parasites or just a continuation of something bacterial. I suppose since these are bass I feed daily I could get some medicated feed.

I've never observed it this bad until this year.