red fins on catfish

[Chick Richards]

I caught this catfish this morning in South West Florida in a freshwater canal.  This is the first time I have ever seen red fins on a catfish.  Is this normal or is this some kind of catfish disease. Any help would be greatly appreciated..

[Allen Morgan]

Did you fight that fish for a long time?  I know certain fish species, when they fight for awhile, start to bust blood vessels, and their fins will turn red.

[Chick Richards]

Allen, I caught it on a light spinning rod and it did take me a little while to land it.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

My first thought is that some Amazon species has left the confines of aquaria, and found a new home in the Florida canals. This would hardly be a new phenomena down there; the list of escaped and refugee species making their success in S. FL is long.
But, I admit I tend to be a tad dramatic. It is probably something like Allen suggests.
In the future, of at all possible, get a picture. That helps greatly with identification.

[Chick Richards]

We defiantly have our share of non native species.  I attempted to attach a pic, but I may have not done it right.  I will try to attach again.

[Chick Richards]

Not sure what species this is, but it is the first one I have ever seen.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

It looks like a black bullhead, albeit a larger one. The fins do look more blood shot than pigmented, as Allen suggests.

[Chick Richards]

The more I think of it, I don't remember the fins being red when I landed it.  I first noticed the color when I took it out of the cooler prior to dressing it.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

So, how was the eating?

[Chick Richards]

Haven't eaten it yet. waiting to get enough for a fish fry. Here is the total tally for the morning.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Nice mix of Redear and Coppers......

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Often when cats are placed in ice the fins will go red from blood circulation as the body reacts to the colder temperatures.......I see it in channel cats pretty often......this fish looks like a black bullhead to me and a nice one.........

[Chick Richards]

Thanks Jeff.  I have never observed this before.  It makes sense.  I really appreciate all the responses to my question. BBG certainly has a great bunch of folks.