Red blood blisters on big mouth bass

[Cristy]

I was fishing in a private lake in southern California and pulled 2 good size bass that had red blood blisters, large size, on it's body, fins and even mouth. Someone said it's a result of the female being aggressive and slapping around when spawning. Is this true? I would upload a pic but it says it's too big.

[Cristy]

I sent you a pic and hope you can help me upload it.

There were several bass that had these large raised, blood blisters that I saw on the surface of the body. Some of these blisters were on their mouths, fins or tail. All were female bass that I saw this onl. This is a private lake that I live next to, fishing is awesome and families play in this  water and swim. But if this is something that is unhealthy I wish I could find out more. Thanks for the help and feedback.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Here you go.

[.dsaavedra.]

a lot of the bass i catch have red lips. i have always assumed it was from heavy feeding, or from eating something hard like crawfish.

as for the tail, well that looks like some kind of infection.

those kinds of sores dont result from spawning.

the tail of a spawning bass will just have some blood or red irratation on the underside of the tail, and sometimes a good portion of the tail will be worn away from fanning.

[Cristy]

Thank you  for posting the pics. It's appreciated.

I will be interested to see if anyone else might know what this is. Cristy

[weknowhowtolive]

Looks like parasites or something. Doesnt look very normal to me.

[Cristy]

I've been googling but can't find anything. I found these blisters on 2 different bass so I we would have to assume this is spreading.

[weknowhowtolive]

the closest looking thing I can find is "Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia of Fishes" which when I google it brings up fish with red splotches but they do not look raised. It could also be ulcers? Like I said, doesnt look normal, and I doubt its from fish being rough or whatever. I would contact your fish and game and show them the pictures

[bkoguy07]

I believe its called Vibriosis...I'm searching more on it now, I'm not exactly certain!

[bkoguy07]

Ok, I found that these sores are given by a plant in your home lake and its called Red Sore Disease.  Normally the fish heal over time unless its the virus VHS which can be more serious.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VM059

[Cristy]

This is interesting information and I am going to forward it on. It comes from Florida so I wonder if it's the same for California lakes? I don't know but I am going to find out more about what this could be on the bass. I have been fishing the lake for over 11 years and so this is rare to see and of course concerning. Thanks for the information.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Hang tight, our resident Veterinarian hasn't checked in yet (Raul).

He will steer you straight.

[Cristy]

excellent to hear I might be able to find out from the expert. I will be checking in.

[Lavrax]

How high is the water lever in the place you caught this? I saw the same spots on the fish at the place where i used to go fishing, when the water level was dropping extremely low.

[Cristy]

The water level where I caught this bass  was about 8 feet and where there was no water in this area this winter. It is also where the tractors were this last winter pulling sand from the lake for. For example, this winter, the water table was dropped an extra 8 feet so they could pull sand out in the back for profitable reasons and for the health of the lake. (they said). The deepest part of this lake is about 40 feet right now. It's in southern California and a private lake which is treated periodically with blue stone in the summer months and I don't know what else.  

[bkoguy07]

Is there alot of vegetation?

[Cristy]

Along the shore line there is some but nothing excessive. Especially now while the water temp is still fairly cool but warming quickly.

[slomoe]

Alot of fish I've caught within the last few months have had these spots. I just figured they were from tail slapping and fanning beds.

[The Fisher]

I just encountered the same thing Blood blisters on the tail of the bass. Did anyone get an answer as to what might cause this?

[WRB]

The sores look like a disease either bacteria or fungal that more then likely is always around in the water. What can happen during the spawn cycle is the basses immune system gets stressed and diseases can manifest. The fact you caught the bass indicates it's healthy enough to strike a lure.

Private lakes are sometimes managed by HOA board members who are not fishery biologist making poor decisions that impact the fishery.

Does this lake have club tournaments or resident bass boats with livewells? Livewells tend to stress bass and anglers don't manage thier livewells with chemicals to prevent diseases or maintain proper DO levels. Bass are normally stressed during the spawn cycle, putting them in a livewell adds to the stress. 

My guess is the bass will recover as long as it continues to feed. Bass virus can be fatal and a die off can occur. 

Nice bass!

Tom

 

[CrankFate]

On 6/22/2008 at 8:07 PM, Low_Budget_Hooker said:

Here you go.

This is definitely hemorrhagic septicemia. Anyone who keeps fish in an aquarium would know. 

[WRB]

Hopefully a resident didn't dump a pet fish with VHS into the lake.

SoCal we suffered through several drought years where shoreline non aquatic plants grew followed by a wet cycle rising water levels flooding those plants. The new cover is good until it dies and decays lowering the DO levels further stressing the post spawn bass. 

The small area of the bass in the photos looks like the bass has good vigor and coloration, a good sign.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

I see that a lot on fish when the water starts to get warm and during post spawn when fish are stressed. 

[Basshunter98]

Same thing .  they didn't have it last week.  Now the three I caught yesterday and 1 today had it. Did you ever find out what it was and if you treat it or will it go away on its own?thanks