Good observation. An overabundance of large GSH will no doubt consume SMB swim-up fry. A ravenous group of large GSH attacking from numerous directions could decimate newly hatched fish fry even with male bass guarding. Numerous variables including density of GSH, food availability for adult GSH and amount of refuge will determine the extent of predation of GSH on smallie fry. By the time the SMB are large enought to spawn, the smallies could or should have the GSH densities reduced to "normal' concentrations. What is normal GSH density???
The main con of the pond above IMO would be the shape is not condusive to efficient aeration - thus requiring more diffusers requiring lots of cfm from maybe two compressors?. Also a pond shaped like that has lots of feet of shoreling compared to a round pond. More shoreline does grow a lot of fish food in the littoral areas, but it ALSO will grow lots more FA algae or weeds due to the extensive shoreline. Most all pond problems do not occur in the center, deeper areas but in the shallow shore line zone.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/02/12 02:26 PM.
