Pectoral Fins Missing

[126barnes]

The last couple of evenings I noticed that a high percentage of small (8-10")stocked rainbows had either one or both pec fins missing. I landed about 20 fish in this range over the last two nights and about four or five of them had either one or both fins missing. Wondering if anyone else has noticed this in other stocked potholes, is it disease or are bigger fish causing this problem. Sorry I don't have photos, will be sure to get one if I run into this again.

[Brownstone]

Farmed fish tend to always have stunted fins and tails, were the pec fins just little stubs or not there at all?

[126barnes]

Thanks, didn't know that.

 

stubs would be the best description i guess. Not sure what to call it, but the long thin portion of the fin was missing or not developed what so ever. Last year stock (I'm guessing 12-16") seem ok, but the recently abuntant 8"ers, have the problems.

[dryfly]

Brownstone is correct. According to Daryl Wig they abrade the pecs on the rough concrete fish tanks. (I'd seen that once and asked him. That was his explanation.)

[lonefisher]

interestingly enough we have noticed the same thing with a fair number of bulls outta the upper k lake..... well atleast Glenbow has..... he catchs all the handicapped fish

[Nick0Danger]

In Ontario they clip the pectoral fins to identify the stocks from the natives. This is done in other places as well.

[matt1984]

I was icefishing at upper K this winter and every bull we caught had missing or stubs for fins as well.

[monger]

The upper lake bulls came from the hatchery. Lower lake ones came out of S-D creek

[Glenbow]

Yes, I specialize in catching the handicapped fish. You once you find what works for you, go with it. There are lots of Bulls in the Upper K missing either a pec fin or part of one of their gill plates.