11 replies to this topic

[Cu455]

I read this article which talks about peeing blue gills/ bream fish. This is something I never experienced or noticed but I also don't really fish. I went to YouTube to do some scientific investigating and found this video. The article is pretty interesting, it is about fish peeing as a defense mechanism.

 

http://www.nola.com/...ough_urine.html

 

[littlen]

Interestingly, I just saw this link over at the MFK forum: http://s.nola.com/IggUzHK

 

I've never been peed on by any sunfish....or fish that I can think of.  If I did, I wouldn't have discerned it from the water dripping off the fish's body.  But nothing like in that video.

[Chasmodes]

I have had this happen before after catching bluegills and pumpkinseeds while fishing for them.  I never thought of it as a defense mechanism with fish, although it makes sense because I've had this happen after capturing toads, tree frogs and turtles (where I suspected it was a defense mechanism or just plain fear driven).

 

I've also had king salmon squirt milt on me.  A buddy of mine had this happen and it ruined the shiny coating off of his expensive Gortex rain gear.  And, it was permanently stained!

[JasonL]

I've had this happen lots of times fishing for bluegill, bass etc. I just presumed it was a response to stress as opposed to a defense mechanism.

[centrarchid]

Somebody needs to taste it.  Otherwise you will not be able to say they are not simply letting down because scared.

[Chasmodes]

Somebody needs to taste it.  Otherwise you will not be able to say they are not simply letting down because scared.

 

I will pass   

[littlen]

Somebody needs to taste it.  Otherwise you will not be able to say they are not simply letting down because scared.

I have, it's called Miller Lite.

[WheelsOC]

I never thought of it as a defense mechanism with fish, although it makes sense because I've had this happen after capturing toads, tree frogs and turtles (where I suspected it was a defense mechanism or just plain fear driven).

Not to mention snakes, especially garters! They also tend to include some musk for good measure.

[centrarchid]

Freshwater fish have a reputation for urinating profusely a dilute urine, whether handled or not.  The high urine volume is needed to compensate the continuous leaking of external freshwater into fish, especially across membranes of gills.  Fish is water with salinity higher than about 15 ppt have the opposite problem.  Water leaks across same membranes in opposite direction.  To compensate the fish drink a lot.

 

 

If the urine of the peeing bluegill has some anti-predator character, then I would look for some additional bladder close to the urinary bladder that only empties when fish is frightened.  Then I would look for organic metabolites that have a strong smell and/or are caustic.

[az9]

I've had this happen numerous times catching fish off the beds. It appears clear so it's not milt. 

[Matt DeLaVega]

I have only had this happen with lepomis that I have held in a manner that compresses them to an extent. I don't think they meant it, felt more like I caused it.

[lorde]

Peeing bluegills is a popular and fun way to catch bluegills. Bluegills tend to be found in shallow water as they prefer warmer waters. When fishing for bluegill, you will want to look for deep holes in the river or pond where there is a lot of vegetation. Bluegills like to hide in these areas, so when a fish swims into the hole, it will pop its head out and start peering around. If you are lucky enough to see it, you can simply cast your fishing line over the top of the hole and hope that it lands on the gill. flagle posterdle

Edited by lorde, 28 July 2022 - 02:57 AM.