Question About Perch

[tman12]

Hey guys,

Me and my buddy have been absolutely cashing in on jumbo perch lately. Been letting all the big ones go, but took a few 9-10 inchers the other night for the table. However, Mixed in with the jumbos we've been catching have been some smaller ones at around 8". With These 8 inchers, as soon as they come out of the water, are spraying this white liquid (my guess would be semen) all over the place. Anyone else having this happen or have had this happen? It's consistently with that size, and probably 1 out of every 3 that size do it. They aren't coming up from deep either. 10 feet tops. Any clue on what it could be and why? Some opinions/knowledge on what this could be would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ty

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[Jake3970]

Their spawning. They shouldn't be doing that to much longer though.

[js003c]

Definitely milt. They are males who are in to fertilize eggs which have already been laid by females. As for size...not sure about why it's typically the smaller ones.

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[tman12]

Thanks guys. I figured it had to do with spawning, but the size perplexed me, as it is ONLY those around 8". I'll continue to observe

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[Sk8man]

The males are very often (but not always) smaller than the gravid (egg bearing) females.

[EsoxAC3]

Yes..... Lol. They are like squirt guns for a brief period..... Very messy, gross squirt guns.

[tman12]

Went to my buddy's private pond today for perch, and all perch in there are remarkably clean and healthy. However, past two days I have noticed some of these leech like creatures on their fins. Because this is a small pond, we are a little concerned, and don't want any parasites to be going through the fish, and especially spread to the bass. Anyone know what these are and if they are harmful?

Probably nothing but mainly just curious.

Thanks again for the perch related answers,

Ty

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[tman12]

Ps the picture makes them look bigger than they are. They are about 1/2 an inch long, and are pretty flat and hard to get ahold of

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[battlehammer]

Ps the picture makes them look bigger than they are. They are about 1/2 an inch long, and are pretty flat and hard to get ahold of

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. Maybe these? common in ponds

[battlehammer]

Double pics ???

[tman12]

Thanks for the response. A lot of people are having double pics for some reason. As to the parasites, It could be those, but the ones we've seen appear to be a little lighter in color. They have the suction like mouths, so I'm assuming they must be a leach of some kind. Hopefully they don't harm the fish. Only have seen them on their fins

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