Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations blue gill dieing

Fish deaths are stress related. Figure out the stressor and you are well on your way to figuring out what is causing the deaths. Numerous factors and often combinations of factors can contribute to fish deaths. Sometimes it is difficult to determine exact causes.

Handling fish in hot weather during catch and release is esp hard on fish in warm water. Catch and Release deaths can occur two maybe three weeks after the initial stress.

Some of the largest, oldest bgill will die from stress of spawning season.

In older established ponds / lakes (greater than 7-10yrs) about 15-30 % of fish will die each year due to old age. This begins once the fish are at the top end of their life span. Most of these deaths are not visible from above the surface. Fish get old and die.

Overcrowded conditions and OR food shortages cause stress to shorten life spans.

Fish with internal parasites will usu die quicker than their healthier siblings.

Addition of Aquashade reduces food reserves in ponds.

Use of herbicides can reduce habitat were fish food is produced and where the organisms/critters live and thus food shortages develop. Eventually nature thins out the fish denisty to match the food supply.

Laws Of Nature thin out the weakest or most vulnerable fish often the oldest ones.

See the next important post.