Goggle-eyed Crappie

[Jerry Blake]

We caught an unusual black crappie today. Both eyes were protruding significantly - very much like the eyes of a goggle-eyed goldfish.

It wasn't from being caught from deep water and didn't appear to be from any type of injury. It appeared to be in good condition and normal except for this anomaly.

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen or heard of a crappie like this.

[Mrs. Crappie Stalker]

You must have scared him bug eyed!!!!!

[fish21759]

:D You put a hook in your lip and see if your eyes don't bug out :D

[crappieseeker]

Jerry I've caught a few like that before in Alabama. None recently though.

[izzysfishin]

Maybe he heard Fatboy got his new boat hehe...izzy

[jem270]

Either some kind of bacteria infection or maybe a fungus infection. I had aquarium fish do that.

[fatboy]

Looks like he needs LASIK eye surgery. Bet he still got the Jerry Blake rapid weight loss program even though he couldn't see it coming.

[Jerry Blake]

I've seen fish with Pop-eye caused by an infection or fungus but they are usually obviously inflamed and one eye is usually more affected than the other. There was no sign of inflammation on this fish, both eyes were protruded equally and appeard to have grown that way.

[Mo'nBack]

Jerry; Here's some I caught a couple of weeks ago and I noticed the same thing on about 6-8 of them. I wasn't sure about them either. You can't reallly tell by the pic, but the top 3 or 4 on the left were just like the one you got. I had taken them out and showed the wife their eyes and that's why they are on top. The deepest any were caught was 11 feet.

[Pooch]

Jerry, I've heard of crossing their eyes when you set the hook, but not popping them out.!!! LOL ---Pooch