Hello.

Yesterday I went trout fishing for the first time having only had a days tuition previously, so i am pretty knew to this but am loving it.

I managed to catch a 1.5lb rainbow from a small still water fishery which was great, but, the fish was covered in quite a thick opaque 'snotty' looking slime and its eyes also seemed to bulge out quite a lot.

The fish is currently in the fridge and I'm not sure whether it would be a good idea to eat it.

Could anybody let me know whether this slime is usual or a disease and if it would be safe to eat?

I have caught one other rainbow prior to this and the slime was really clear, and the fish was delicious!

Thanks
Nick

sounds like "popeye" but not sure if it does affect salmonoids ???

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

What you are describing Nickfish,is what happens when fish have been bad handled by someone and then returned to the water and especially at this time of year where fish are going through the spawning cycle and immune systems are lower,they get this jellified mucus on them.If it is slight ,some can recover if they are strong fish,but in most they will become very thin and eventually die.It is not harmfull to humans and as far as eating they say that food has to be pleasing to the eye.If it is a good shape and size and not slim and looking underfed,it may be ok to eat.Myself I would say best in the bucket.

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Kevin

So would you suggest serving with "Olive Oyl" ??? .....






Coat ???? ...........

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

see ya

__________________
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

Thanks morayflyfisher, sounds like it could be that.

The fishery in question does not operate catch and release so in theory it shouldn't happen but I'm guessing that if some guys catch their limit quickly then they might sneak one or two back in.

The fish looks reasonably fat but I really don't fancy eating it, think this one is destined for the bin.

Hope I don't encounter many more of these, seems like a poor end for a fish.

Is it by any chance just on one side of the fish?

Don't chuck it out just yet! There are many skin parasites - most too small to see without a microscope - that can cause a fish to produce lots of thick slime. It's a natural defence mechanism to try and fight off parasites and prevent them entering the skin. Bulging eyes are symptoms of several conditions but none would really make the fish inedible. Have you gutted it and were there any internal signs that would suggest disease? I'm thinking of swollen liver, blood spots on the liver or on the swim bladder, swollen kidney or red and swollen intestines and vent. If none of these is present and the fish looks otherwise OK inside then I would eat it!

StickMan (former trout farmer!)

Stuartpengs, no, the fish was almost completely covered.

Thestickman, unfortunately the fish has now been disposed of but thank you for the info. I hadn't got as far as gutting it but if this occurs again I'll have a look at the organs before making a decision.