Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations My very first fish kill.........

Well over the last 3 to 4 days I have been finding large dead bluegill and observing my largest bluegill struggling here and there. I have been aerating every night from 6PM to 9AM since I am in Southwest Louisiana. I guess it is an oxygen crash but I can't understand how with the aeration. Sad to see the fish I was proudest of to be floating. Not many fish but it is a small pond. Death Toll is at 9 7.5" to 8.5" bluegill. Right now I have changed my aeration to 24/7, is that the right move?

Figuring out what the cause IS is the right move. What are your am water temps running? Anything else change recently, such as algae die-off or rain event? anything you can think of?
Are you seeing any very small fish dead?
How old (approx.)is the pond.

"You're not a real Aquaculturist until you've killed your first million fish."
-Bruce Condello

Hey Stevie,

Hate to hear about your kill. It's never a good feeling when you've devoted so much time and effort into your pond.

Just a couple suggestions...

Temp: If your water temp has gotten too high, your fish are more susceptible to ammonia toxicity. Try to get a reading on your ammonia levels. You can add some salt to counter this. Maybe 40 pounds for your pond.

Cloudy weather: with all the cloud cover we've had the last few days, its possible you've had a DO crash, which typically affects your biggest fish first. Do you have any larger LMB that are being affected? I understand you're running note aeration, but it may not be enough turnover.

I'm grasping at straws here, bro. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will chime in soon.

My fish kills(several) have been in my 1/4 acre pond about a half mile from the house. It as due to neglect and an out of balance predator/prey situation. I had too many fatheads and bluegills versus bass and Mama Nature is a cruel bitch. Now it has turned into a GSF, channel cat pond.