Fish ID or behavoiur help (1 Viewer)

NearlyNoviceBirder

Well-known member

• May 24, 2015

• #1

View attachment 545116Saw this fish tail yesterday. Pic with the mallard included for scale. My impression was maybe 40-50 cm long. The fish was moving in large circles, with half of its tail out of the water most of the time and occasionally all of its tail. It ignored any ducks swimming past, who were curious but did not approach it. All I can make out from the pics is black tail, and grey body perhaps with black spots on it where the tail joins the body. Towards the end of the time I watched it for (about half an hour) I think there may have been two fish. So my working assumption is that it was possibly a spawning fish and perhaps a carp, but would really appreciate any guidance.

The weather was baking hot, the lake is freshwater, large, and gravel edged. Don't know the water depth but deep enough to support grebes.

Any ideas?

 

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Last edited: May 24, 2015

S

SteveTS

Well-known member

• May 24, 2015

• #2

Pike may perhaps be more of a contender than carp, maturing at about 3 years the females still occasionally carry spots and prefer shallower (warmer) water for spawning. But it could be anything, even an aquarium or garden pond release, such fish have been observed 'surface gliding' in their new found freedom.

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• May 24, 2015

• #3

The apparent large size and deeply forked tail suggest Common Carp to me, but not that familiar with UK fish.

 

NearlyNoviceBirder

Well-known member

• May 24, 2015

• #4

Thanks for replying. I knew it was a tricky one!

 

Essex Baker Boy

Well-known member

• Jun 2, 2015

• #5

Almost certainly Common Carp in my opinion.

 

Phil Carter

Well-known member

• Jun 2, 2015

• #6

Looks more like a Bream tail to me.

Phil

 

Essex Baker Boy

Well-known member

• Jun 3, 2015

• #7

Phil Carter said:

Looks more like a Bream tail to me.

Phil

Click to expand...

I had it narrowed down to either Common Carp or Bream! Having spent some time looking more closely at a Bream's tail both at the lakeside and on Google images I don't think this tail is slim enough for a Bream. Additionally Carp are well known for cruising around just under the surface whereas I've rarely witnessed this with Bream...that said, it could be either species but I favour Common Carp.

In fact after looking again at photo 3, I feel more confident that it is Carp as the notch would be far deeper on a Bream.

 

ChrisKten

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

• Jun 9, 2015

• #8

I'd say either Bream or Carp; both are possible from the pics. Bream will roll over bait when feeding, so will Carp. Both will roll when spawning too, and the time of year is within limits.

If I had to guess; I'd say Bream... or Carp

 

Rapala

Well-known member

• Jun 11, 2015

• #9

I'd say Common Carp. Attached is a picture I took of a Common Carp displaying similar behavior while fishing a reservoir in Colorado; I found it was a Common Carp after catching one around two feet long (just over the size you estimated). They're beginning to take over native fish species here in the U.S. They tend to swim near the surface with their dorsal and tail fin exposed. Common Carp in my opinion.

 

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NearlyNoviceBirder

Well-known member

• Jun 12, 2015

• #10

Yes that pic does look similar, thanks all.