Actually 1/2 ounce short of 5 pounds but a beautiful fish never-the-less. 19 1/4 inches on a board. Already sold to a taxidermist in Massachusetts for $75.00.
This fish was having some equilibrium problems so I netted it from the pond. I've had three or four fish out of 125 that I planted have this happen. No idea why, but possible causes are parasites effecting the swim bladder, congenital defect, or constipation resulting in pressure on the swim bladder.
If this happens again I will put the fish in tank with one tablespoon of plain Epsom Salt per gallon to release colon contents. If it doesn't work I have nothing to loose.
