A sudden, localized die-off of fish and other aquatic animals within a body of water, most often caused by a rapid depletion of dissolved oxygen following an algal bloom's collapse, a sudden temperature change, disease, or the release of pollutants or agricultural runoff. Large fish kills can leave thousands of dead fish floating on a lake or river's surface within a single day and serve as a highly visible warning sign of a broader water-quality problem.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceDead fish washing up on shores; affected fish may show sores, missing scales, growths or parasites 1 PeriodicitySeasonal and regional, for example spring in the Shenandoah River basin 1 Connections
Associated With
Eutrophication-driven oxygen depletion, as algae and bacteria consume dissolved oxygen while decomposing bloom material, is a well-documented direct cause of fish kill events.
Sources
1. Fish kill - Wikipedia
Seasonal occurrence
Fish kills have been observed in the Shenandoah River basin in the spring, from the time water temperatures are in the 50s (°F) until they reach the mid-70s.
Signs of affected fish
sores, missing scales or lack of slime, strange growths or visible parasites, and abnormal behavior
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