Why do fish roll?

Steve Spiller · #1 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 19:57

Does it serve a purpose to them? Or are they just playing?

I've watched the koi in my pond doing it, during a large summer flood the bream, chub and roach started doing it and on the lake yesterday the carp were doing it all over the place, I've been told that barbel do it too.

So what are they up to and why?

Paul H · #2 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 20:11

Cos it's cheaper than a pack of 20 fags...?

Sorry Steve, I actually have no idea of the truth of it.

I have heard people say that it could help them remove parasites somehow, or that they're taking small insects from off, or near, the suface.

geoffmaynard · #3 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 20:13

I can't hold with the idea that they are 'playing'. To do so would accept the concept that fish experience pleasure - and if they can do that, then they can experience the opposite

So I think there's other reasons, and they will probably be different for different species and various times of year. Mating rituals, feeding or cleansing routines, stuff like that. Definitely NOT pleasure though.

the blanker · #4 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 20:18

i think that when i am carp fishing its so they can see if i am there and then clear off up the other end of the lake,perhaps they are taking something from the surface.

Ray Daywalker Clarke · #5 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 20:19

I don't know if anyone knows the real reason Steve, it has nothing to do with spawning as I have seen fish doing this in October, maybe they do it when moving around trying to find food.

I have seen Barbel with their heads out the water feeding just like carp on the surface, this was late at night on the Ouse. When at Blenhiem one morning the mist was on the surface, as we were rowing the boat out, the Bream were more like Dolphins.

They moved all the way acroos the lake, they didn't do any tricks before you ask, only the you can't catch me one.

The Tench on a local water roll in he morning, during the day, and at night, but not all the time, so there doesn't seem to be a pattern.

Steve Spiller · #6 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 20:59

Hmmm?

The carp were going bonkers yesterday, 20lb+ fish were doing the big side sploosh. Some got almost completely airborne.

The koi in my pond seem to stir up the bottom as they accelerate and do the sploosh, but this would not explain the tench I've seen doing it in Cheddar res' with over 20+ foot of water?

I don't think it's a food thing, could it be an oxygen rush into the gills?

It could be the parasite thing Paul, but the differing situations on different venues don't add up that? The summer flood that I mentioned was incredible and I will never forget it. The river was low and had been for a while, the heavens opened and the river started rising. It was like someone flicked a switch, big fish started showing all over the river, it must have been due to the added oxygen?

Mark Wintle · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 21:00

Big roach do it to see who is on the bank; if you're not worthy they clear off.

Warren Gaunt · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 21:02

lol lol lol

slime monster · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 21:03

I think swim bladder adjustment has a lot to do with it, a trail of bubbles often follows after a fish has rolled .

Paul H · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 23:44

I just found this while using a well known search engine:

Gold fish are able to gulp air directly in to their gills, mostly to get extra oxygen. But if your goldfish is doing this frequently, set up an air stone, bubble stone, or strong filter that won't suck in your fish. Fish use this in emergencies, when little air is in the water. If a fish is in one of those classic, round bowls, with a tiny surface, fish get less, and less, and less air, until they start to suffocate, slowly. Small round bowls say "death" all over them.

And this from an aquarium advice site:

Fish Gulping Response - Thanks for your question. Here are some helpful links that provide the information you are looking for. There can be several reasons a fish gulps air. Most fish can be seen gulping air when their water quality is very poor and does not provide enough oxygen. Some fish have an organ called a labyrinth (such as the Gouramis and Bettas) which can be used in addition to their gills when there is a lack of oxygen and it is used to process the air similar to a lung. A fish with a labyrinth can be seen gulping air. Some fish gulp air to fill their air bladders used for buoyancy. The temperature of the water also plays a role in the overall water quality.