Michael A. Eggleton wrote:

>
> Earlier this spring, a commercial fisherman on the lower Mississippi River
> mentioned that he had collected some sturgeons (around 20-24 inches TL) in
> his nets.  These fish had "rubber bands" wrapped around their body
> which was cutting into the gills and skin behind the dorsal fin. ...it must be > a fairly common occurrence.

Commercial fishermen targeting freshwater drum in the Atchafalaya Basin
indicate to me that this is indeed a very common condition for the
shovelnose and pallids in the Melville area.

>  Are these fish be swimming
> through rubber bands laying on the river bottom (as juveniles?) or is it
> some other mechanism altogether.

These fish (in the Melville area) are also occasionally found with
discarded condoms over their mouths as well, so the mechanism you
describe is probably a plausible explanation.

--
*********************************************
C. Greg Lutz, Associate Specialist, Aquaculture
(504)388-2152 [Voice]   (504)388-2478 [Fax]

Si tu buscas la respuesta, primero abre la puerta
Habla con tu corazon - di le que te de la llave
- C. Santana
*********************************************