So my normal routine of going down pond is to throw small frogs out for the bass. Lot of fun!
But over the past week I have been seeing a strange bluegill. Managed to get some sort of picture of him to show. He seems to swim tilted sideways. Always to the same side. He moves a bit strangely, darting more than a normal BG. He's relatively big, pushing 8 inches from what I've seen, so he would be missed if he died.
No other fish exhibit this trait, all other fish are fat and healthy. Why is it like this, could it be sick or injured? Will try to fish for him tomorrow if necessary.
I have a BG that's about 7-8" that seems to swim a little sideways. That BG is also much lighter than the others, not an albino, but maybe halfway in between "normal" color and albino. It swims out near the middle of the pond sometimes and feeds with the albino CC. It's easy to see.
That would make sense because some of the BG had an eye disease when I released them.
Good to hear it is an injury not sickness.
Hope it's an injury...... keep an eye on it - that others don't develop same issue. If you catch them lot of time the hook will damage eye from inside mouth. Mash barb down to lessen damage
Point taken. When I said "released" I ment stocked. I rarely fish in my pond and always bend the barb down for safety. I paid too much for those fish too kill them because of a deep hook.
I currently have lots of Bluegill with eye injuries, some so effected from more than a year. Orientation in water generally not effected. What does impact orientation involves the inner ears. Sometimes an angling injury will damage one of the inner ear components. Damage need not be direct if swelling impacts a semicircular canal. I have treated some successfully by a combination of time and antibiotics. Most do not regain normal swimming pattern. I assume those do not have direct injury to inner ear.
Aquaculture Cooperative Research / Extension Lincoln University of Missouri
