www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Today I watched a comorant grapple with a huge fish it had no chance of swallowing. Ugly looking fish (in fresh water) so thought someone on here might be a fish expert as well as Lep's. 3 photos attached, apologies if out of order with this q. Eric

i'd say a carp. must have been amazing to watch it try

Chris

Carp is most likely on size, but i wouldn't rule out a big tench. The fin in the first photo looks 'tenchy' and the small eye, smooth olive skin and rubbery area under the mouth too!
One of those two, definitely.

I'm pretty confident that's a female tench (the pelvic fin is larger in the male) of nearly 3 lbs - too big for the cormorant to swallow. Sadly, these birds often bite off more than they can chew, leaving characteristically scarred carcasses. It's not unusual for them to target tench in the winter, when this species is often lying semi-torpid. Tench bring back happy memories of my youth, travelling all over the country in search of whoppers, and an annual pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle.
Neil

Thanks Neil, Chris & Essex Bertie. I did ask the same q on another site & had 2 votes in favour of Tench from that site, so I guess that is what it is. Would not have believed a fish that size was in that pool, must be able to hide well as pool is regularly visited by Cormorants, Herons & Bittern. Eric

I'd also go with a female Tench. Bit of a lost cause trying to swallow it but Cormorants are unfortunately well known for taking on fish larger than they can manage.

I remember pike fishing once and one popped up right next to my float with a 3lb pike!