The "dorsal clip" was probably a stubbed dorsal which happens to hatchery steelhead. Many hatchery steelhead have the dorsal fin completely stubbed off so it looks like it was clipped. Some are only missing the last 2 or 3 rays, and there is everything in between. Some steelhead have bent or short dorsal rays. Now the question, why hatchery steelhead(except Alantic salmon) have stubbed dorsals and not hatchery coho? I've heard steelhead "nip" at each other and also rub against the pond walls. Since the steelhead raised in net pens have stubbed dorsals I have to go with the nipping. Any other ideas?

[This message has been edited by potter (edited 08-20-2000).]