Chances are that every time you’ve gone fishing, you’ve probably seen a fish jump out of the water. I’ll wager that fish was large, and just out of casting range. Them’s the chips, after all. It likely got your brain racing as to what the species was, and just why do fish jump out of the water, anyway?
The fish you’ll most likely see jump out of the water is the common carp, and the main reason it jumps is to clear its gills of debris. Carp are bottom feeders, you see, and they get quite a lot of dirt and muck in their gills while feeding. Jumping clears it. During mating season, you’ll also see carp jumping like mad men in back bays. This is to attract a mate (we’ve all done crazier). However, other reasons fish jump out of the water is to chase food, escape predators, remove parasites, or because they lack enough dissolved oxygen. There are also certain fish, like the invasive Asian Carp, that jump out of the water to give bored rednecks something to do.
Why Do Carp Jump?
As stated earlier, the most common fish (or at least, BIG fish) that you’ll see jump is the common carp. They create quite a racket when they do, and it really gets the imagination spinning. We’ve probably all heard or seen this happen and then cast a lure in their direction hoping to get a bite. Most of us have also probably came up empty handed!
Carp jump out of the water for a few reasons, but the most common is simply to remove debris from their gills. They are a bottom feeder, patrolling the lake and sucking up their prey amongst the muck. Naturally, a good deal of that muck winds up in their gills in the process. They breach the surface and thrash to help dislodge the muck from their gills.
You’ll notice that while carp jump year round, you’ll see them breach much more often in the spring. This is during their mating season, and it is theorized that they’re trying to attract a mate. Frankly, much of this attraction may take place below the water. Carp jumping could indeed be them, again, dislodging this and that from their gills that they stir up in the shallows searching for love.
Other Theories on Why Carp Jump
I often fish the VT side of Lake Champlain south of the bridge. For those unfamiliar, you have about 30-40′ off the shore before the lake starts to get deep. Often, I’ll see carp splashing on the deep side. Are they too trying to dislodge muck from their gills? Perhaps, but another theory is that they may be jumping to stabilize their swim bladders.
A swim bladder assists fish in their ability to control their buoyancy. If you’ve ever caught a bass from deeper water and seen in struggle to remain upright in your livewell or after release, it’s swim bladder is likely destabilized from the change in pressure. This video shows you how to fizz a bass’s swim bladder, if you’re curious. Unfortunately for carp, they can’t count on a kind and gentle angler to fizz them, so these fish jump out of the water to try and fizz themselves.
Some Fish Jump Out of the Water to Chase Food
Fish often jump out of the water to chase food. The air basically acts like a ceiling where prey have nowhere left to go. This should be clear to most fishermen. After all, the entire premise of a top water lure is that a fish will jump to bite it.
This food can either be aquatic, like minnows driven to the surface, or a terrestrial critter unlucky enough to cross a fish’s path. Just think of all the top water lures that look like mice, ducklings, or snakes. You’ll also note that fish jump out of the water much more in the morning and evening. They are chasing insects and other prey.
Some Fish Jump Out of the Water to Escape Predators
As some fish jump out of the water to chase food, it stands to reason that other fish jump out of the water because they are food. Minnows and other fish will leap from the water in a last ditch effort to avoid being dinner. Sometimes, they’re successful. Other times, they’re not, and they’re caught in a fury of nature.
Jumping Out of the Water Helps Fish Shed Parasites
Another reason it has been theorized why fish jump out of the water is to help shed parasites. Just look at a fish. It has no arms or real ability to clean itself. They’re also covered in a protective slime coating that can rub off if they brush against objects too vigorously. What is a fish to do if it is covered in parasites? One of its few options is to jump to try and dislodge them, much like carp jump to dislodge muck.
Fish May Jump Out of the Water Due to Inadequate Dissolved Oxygen
Some fish aren’t as lucky as others and find themselves in waters with inadequate dissolved oxygen. Over time, some species (such as catfish in Africa, and bowfin in North America) have evolved the ability to take a gulp of atmospheric air in a pinch. Ever seen those nature programs where all the animals are gathering at a rapidly shrinking watering hole? This is something that happens every year. If the fish in the pond didn’t have the ability to do something about it, there wouldn’t be many generations of fish!
Why Do Asian Carp Jump Out of the Water?
Asian carp are an invasive species found in many river systems in the Midwest. While there are many theories on why they breach so often (many likely much more accurate than this), I firmly believe that Asian Carp jump out of the water to give rednecks something to do. I say this with love, pride, and a touch of envy.
You see, many enterprising folks in the Midwest have made quite the sport of jumping carp. As the fish tend to fling themselves up near passing boats, people have gotten creative with how to remove the species. You’ll see folks wearing full battle gear and attacking them with bats, catching them in nets, or even slicing them with katanas. They’ve even invented a sport called “Skarping.” Never underestimate the ingenuity of people trying to preserve their natural resources.
What About Aquarium Fish – Why Do They Jump Out of Water?
Most of us who own an aquarium keep a lid on it. Those of us who don’t run the risk of one of our scaly friends ending it all, intentionally or not, and winding up on the carpet nearby. But why exactly do aquarium fish jump out of the water? Well, there’s a few reasons, but they boil down to this: there is something about their tank that compels them to leave.
- Your aquarium fish might jump from its tank because it is startled or scared. If a fish lacks sufficient cover, that same prey “fight or flight” mechanism could catch in, and they may inadvertently jump from the aquarium trying to escape.
- Their tank may be overcrowded, causing them to try and leave. It could be that one fish in the tank is a bully and again triggers that prey response.
- There may be something wrong with the water. Clean your tank regularly and maintain proper water temperature to keep your fish happy and away from the life of a hobo.
Conclusions
As you can see, fish jump out of the water for a number of reasons, be it biological or simply for our own amusement. I hope this article helped you gain a deeper appreciation for just why they do it. As always, please reach out to me with any questions at my email.
Further, please note that the main aim of this website is to help parents take their children fishing. If you know someone who is just starting out, consider sharing this website with them. They may particularly find my Illustrated Guide to Fishing with Kids helpful.
Thanks,
John Paxton
