Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish Mortality

Do I recall a discussion at the PB Conference, a couple of the top fishery biologists in the country discussing natural mortality of fish in streams and reservoirs?

Do I recall correctly, their conclusion that mortality from natural causes, as well as from catch and release, ~ 30% mortality numbers being tossed about?

If so, why do get overly concerned with finding a dead fish in our ponds?

'Cause we're all such nice people? :rolleyes:

It is something you get inured to, over time. The first time I found a small (2"-3", probably) dead BG I was mortified, but now, who cares. But different sizes and species, at least for me, are each their own category that I will have to get used to. If I found a dead BG like that beautiful floater Cecil just had, I'd cry. (OTOH the dead cow I had last month, once the cause of death was known, was just lost money and 1700 lbs of nuisance - rather large to put in a shoebox and bury in the back yard.)

You didn't figure out that pure O2 resuscitation system for HSB because you're callous, did you, george?

George you are right and it has been discussed here as well. Depending on the species it can be very high. For example FH life cycle 1-2 years (means they have to recruit or be replaced every year +- or they will be gone from natural morts even without predation). Often people fail to take in to account natural morts. in population analysis which is a serious mistake. It is important to distinguish between the static concept of standing crop ( a picture of fish #s at a fixed point in time) and the dynamic concept of life cycle (recruitment , growth , reproduction and death). I hope that is not to Long-Haired. An easy way to think about it is that for every 70,000 BG born ( the appx. # of eggs of a BG pair in one year) only a few will reach adult stage and successfully reproduce and replace their parents. Yet that is way more than enough to over-populate and stunt unless there is extensive predation. Its all about understanding the nature of the fish and their balance and natural morts is a big part of the equation.

To answer your question - Most people do because they want to be sure something (sick fish)is not going to greatly increase the rate of natural morts.

I'd give mouth to mouth resucitation to save my HSB...
Seriously, I have not a lost a single HSB that I am aware of, other than stockers.