Stupid Question Time

[Tiger Nuts]

Looking at all these pics of Ravenfields carp got me thinking, it doesn't happen much but ....

The big comon I caught was I am told probably one washed down from Firsby res. it was very light in colour. All the other carp I have seen pictured are very dark, especially on top. So here is the stupid question, do fish get suntans?

I very much doubt it but I had to ask. Fish I have caught at places that have cloudy murky water have always been lighter colour. We know that there are some Simo's in the pond, as well as the old stock fish yet they all seem dark coloured, I was just wondering why.

[AZZ]

eyup mate,generally if the water is alwats coloured up then the fish will be really light and pale but if the water is really clear like it is at ravenfield then the fish are really dark and clean looking.I cant really tel you why this is but i noticed this as well.

[andyoak]

Sun tans 

Liverb8 is right that the fish are always light in colour when they are in a cloudly venue, why I don't know but thats going to bug me now so I'm off to find out

[andyoak]

A sun tan might not be as daft as it sounds.

I can't find anything to be 100% sure but I have found some research done in the 70's which says spinal thermal stimulation of carp will result is a lighter coloured carp. Why they would want to warm a carps spine in the first place is behond me but it does make you think that may be the light is getting though the clear water more than in a cloudly water and warming the spine thus making them darker

Our eastern europeans friends warm the carps spine to make them darker as well but they use a BBQ


A bit o/t but while I was looking I found this and I quote "In Australia it is an offence to return a carp into the river systems when caught" 

[andyoak]

sorry should read draker not lighter, i know what I ment. I must go back to bed

[XXX1983]

they go darker because of the clear water yes, and the fact that they are very old fish helps, but mainly because they are wild creatures so they are just adapting to the enviroment around them, they will also change colour shade from being hooked to being landed as there energy levels become lower.

[Tiger Nuts]

Thats interesting, I never realised they changed colour when caught

Mind you I was caught once and I went a bit red too

[andyoak]

It's a wonder I'm not like a beetroot the amount of times I have been caught.

We are on about the same thing here aren't we

[Tiger Nuts]

Erm ..... I dont know, I was on about nicking the kids sweets. SO I guess so