Nighthawk asked:


I have a grass carp (about 20 inches long) in an outside pond. Every summer he/she likes to bask in the sun with the top of his head out of the water. This area of his skin, which is normally black, quickly goes white and pink and looks very unhealthy. I fear he will get skin cancer as each year it is worse, and this year it has started early. So far, it all heals up over winter.

Every time he is disturbed he gets back in the sun after a few seconds. He shares the pond with numerous gold fish and they don’t have the same problem.

I don’t think sun cream or wearing a hat are viable options, and I don’t want to shade the whole pond.

Location SW England about 50 degrees North.
Thanks for suggestions so far. You are quite right about pond weed, lilly pads etc and I have lots of these, but this fish seeks out the gaps! I might just add that this fish has full control of its swim bladder and makes a conscious choice to break the surface.

Dedie