'Kinky' or Broken Backed Barbel

Posts : 114 Join date : 2010-06-28 Age : 46

Hello, recently we have begun to catch Barbel on a stretch of the semi tidal. However 2 out of the 3 I have seen caught (not had one myself yet!) have had a kink in them, one fish at 7lb 4oz had a kink at the top of its tail. The other fish at 5lb 3oz had a kink towards the bottom of its tail.

I was wondering if any other anglers have encountered this and what causes it? Is it a genetic thing or caused by mishandling of the fish? Other than the kinks both fish seemed in good health and swam away strongly. Any answers or theories would be greatly appreciated.

Subject: Re: 'Kinky' or Broken Backed Barbel Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:49 pm

Without seeing them Guy it would be hard to judge, but quite often it is pressure placed on the eggs as they form, which can cause 'deformed' body shapes. Usually they are not that good at defending themselves as hatchlings though and we never see them grow on, could possibly be you have areas that allow them to steer clear of heavy predation, and that many of them are reaching maturity?

Richard

Posts : 220 Join date : 2010-01-21 Location : SW London

Subject: Re: 'Kinky' or Broken Backed Barbel Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:54 pm

Trout sometimes get a similar thing called Vibriosis ( i think its a parasite that firstly affects the brain in juveniles) which causes a condition called whirling disease. They usually have spinal deformaties.
Also there is a water ( can't remember where ) where nearly all the eels had a variety of deformities including kinked spines and deformed head shapes, i don't think anyone knew of the reason.

Posts : 114 Join date : 2010-06-28 Age : 46

Thanks very much for the answers. Like I said the fish appear healthy, now I just have to catch one myself!

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