Yellow bass with purple irridescence

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about a purple iridescence that shows up on the underside of the jaw of yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis)? To illustrate the iridescence that I'm talking about;


This fish was collected in a small detention pond in the Chicagoland area. The purple coloration wasn't apparent when the fish was in the livewell. However, when the fish was transferred to a smaller bucket (awaiting preservation), the fish became stressed and the underside of its jaw showed the purple iridescence. This wasn't unique to this one fish. All three of the yellow bass collected at this site showed the same coloration. I've never seen this before on yellow bass and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this.

there probably is no relavence, but what size were the specimens? Were they all the same size, or largely different? Maybe it could just be a phase in their life (although that coloring is rather different._)

Assuming that there was no "baitsaver" or other product in the livewell?

there probably is no relavence, but what size were the specimens? Were they all the same size, or largely different? Maybe it could just be a phase in their life (although that coloring is rather different._)

The fish were all between 12 and 14cm (each as a total length). It seemed to only become apparent when the fish was very stressed. It was certainly odd.

Assuming that there was no "baitsaver" or other product in the livewell?

Nope, just water from the pond.

Looks like a vascular condition instead of skin. Hard to tell.

Usil

I talked with Nate about this last week but I have seen this on other Morne sp. as well. It does not seem to be visible on White Bass but I have seen this on White Perch and White Bass X Striped Bass hybrids so I assumed it was from the Striped Bass side of that cross. I have no idea what it is just that I have seen it multiple times with several species in that family.