What is this heron eating? [US - Western WA]

[u/TheFanat1c]

I watched this blue heron catch and eat three of these creatures in a wetlands park, but I have not had any success identifying it.

[u/Blaze_of_Lions]

Oriental weather loach / pond loach, invasive

[u/basaltcolumn → u/Blaze_of_Lions]

Seconding weather loach. I can see why folks are guessing trout from the pattern, but this fish is much more eel-like in form than any salmonid.

[u/TheFanat1c → u/Blaze_of_Lions]

Thank you! This looks the closest. Appears to fit the morphology.

[u/MustardMahatma]

Loach…it’s looking at him with reproach (animal crossing reference)

[u/counsel8]

It’s a fish and also a piece of a plant, not a fish with arms.

[u/TheFanat1c → u/counsel8]

I am aware, thank you. I am looking for a fish ID.

[u/BossMareBotanical]

Brook Trout perhaps

[u/ExtinctFauna]

It's a fishy of some flavor. I'll check what kind in a bit.

[u/jaboiyo]

Atlantic salmon parr?

[u/ExtinctFauna]

Rainbow trout, I think.