BRANDENTON, Fla. -- Thousands of dead fish have washed ashore in an upscale Bradenton community. 

  • Residents noticed a few dead fish last Monday
  • By Friday they began to pile up by yards and docks
  • Biologist says oxygen and salt levels are partially to blame

The masses of belly-up fish are tough to look at, but it's the smell that's getting to some residents in Tidewater Preserve. 

"The smell is just overwhelming," said resident Jeff Ryan. 

Residents started noticing a few dead fish in the water last Monday and by Friday, they began to pile up by yards and boat docks. 

Ryan says this is the second time this has happened since he moved in less than three years ago, and he's concerned it will continue to happen if something isn't done to remedy the problem. 

"I feel like we need to figure it out so this doesn't happen again," he said. 

On Sunday, crews were working to pull fish of all sizes from the water by the marina at Tidewater Preserve. In an email to residents, the community association manager stated that about half of the dead fish were picked up on Friday, and crews would work to finish the rest of the job in the coming days. 

Residents say a biologist tested the water and concluded that oxygen and salt levels were partially to blame. 

Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to Castle Group, the company that manages Tidewater Preserve, and is awaiting comment.