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Joined: Mar 2020
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OP
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Hi everyone. I have about a 1.10 acre lake and just yesterday we stocked 2000 BG/RES and 2000 FHM’s. I noticed this morning about 15 or so were dead. Is that normal? There were a few killed in transport, so I am figuring the stress of being in a new environment and transportation may have got a few. PH, hardness, alkalinity are all within range. Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Jun 2018
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Joined: Jun 2018
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Yes even more than that is pretty normal.
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Joined: Jul 2020
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Joined: Jul 2020
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Hi!
thats less than 1 per thousand so i think youre ok
Im going to ask a lot of questions, but only because I'm clueless
5-20 Acres in Florida. Bass/Tilapia/Bowfin/Gator
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Joined: Mar 2020
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OP
Joined: Mar 2020
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Well, its a little more than that....more like 1 per 100, but I just didn’t know with them dying so soon if that was something I should be concerned about. Thanks for the reply!
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
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Stocking stress isn’t all that unusual.
The real question is how many died but didn’t float. According to Lusk, very few float. This is always an unknown and smaller fish don’t always travel well.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
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New pond or older pond with supplemental stocking??
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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OP
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I know Dave! That’s what I am concerned about. I found 2 more dead over the weekend which brings it to about 20 or so....and half of the were floating and half were sunken
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Joined: Mar 2020
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OP
Joined: Mar 2020
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Brand new pond Bill. PH and everything is near perfect. The only thing that may be of concern is low DO.....About a 1/10 of it is backed up into woods, and over the last 3 months the water has turned a tea color due to tannins I presume. Thank you for the replys!
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Uh oh, tea colored water due to tannins might be a bigger concern. Did you add brush/trees to your pond?
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice." - Donny Miller
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Very probably handling stressors from supplier, heat, and traveling were main causes for losses. For new pond stockings the ones that float are the larger percentage of the deaths. For existing pond supplemental stockings lots of the weak dead ones are eaten before they float by the existing fish.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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OP
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I did add structure Steve....but all the research I have done says that tannins for the most part are cosmetic unless its a walnut tree correct? I know it can cause low DO if there is a TON of tannins. Is that not right?
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Thanks Bill...makes me feel better.
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I do have a rather high watershed for my size pond...around 50 acres for a little over 1 acre pond. Mostly wooded. I know that’s not the most desirable, but it was either that or no pond at all. I was hoping the higher volume of water would keep it oxygenated and flush tannins out. Once I figure out the best aeration system I am gonna get that ordered.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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It is always best for fewest handling deaths to move or buy fish during cooler temperatures. Generally - the warmer the air temperatures expect more deaths.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Joined: Oct 2019
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I did add structure Steve....but all the research I have done says that tannins for the most part are cosmetic unless its a walnut tree correct? I know it can cause low DO if there is a TON of tannins. Is that not right? Walnut trees are bad, but so are Oaks. It also depends on how many you put in, relative to your pond size. Its best to let them dry or "season" before adding them, from what I've read. Here's a quote from Dave Davidson in an older thread: I put a bunch of green oak trees in my pond when it was built. Rain came and I had black water that was lethal to all life. I stocked and everything died within an hour. I had to actually pump it dry.
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice." - Donny Miller
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 65 Likes: 11
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 65 Likes: 11 |
What about cedar trees? I am getting ready to stock some RES in October and was going to put in some cedar trees for cover. The trees I was going to put in are still standing awaiting the chain saw. Can I put them in right after cutting? I have never heard of tannin issues with trees.
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Joined: Oct 2016
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Joined: Oct 2016
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I've never heard of a problem with cedar.
Bob
I Subscribe To Pond Boss
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Joined: Oct 2019
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No issues with Cedar, in fact, I think they are the most commonly used tree due to low tannins and their longevity underwater. MisterA, I think Dave came up with a bucket test you can do, if you're ever unsure about a particular tree you want to toss in for structure. Just cut some small branches up, bark, leaves, whatever, and add them to a bucket of water. If you don't see a color change, you're probably good to go. You can also toss in a fish to see if it dies in the tree-infused water. But Cedar is safe, either way. I'd stay away from Oak.
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice." - Donny Miller
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Joined: Oct 2018
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Joined: Oct 2018
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Cedar won't hurt anything. I put 100+ fresh-cut cedars in my pond as it was filling during the fall/winter of '18/'19.
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Joined: Jul 2020
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Joined: Jul 2020
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Thanks guys. A disaster has been narrowly averted. We didn't get much rain here from the hurricane but we did get serious wind. I had an oak tree lose some pretty big branches. I moved them out of the way but just stacked them. My wife asked why I hadn't cut them up and put them in the burn pile and I told her I was trying to figure out a way to get them in the pond for cover for the upcoming RES. Obviously, I would very much have regretted doing that..............
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Jugalone Toxin from Black Walnuts is what kills fish when Walnuts are put in a pond, not the tannic acid. Here's a link where they talk about that. http://www.rogueturtle.com/articles/blackwalnut.php
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Joined: Oct 2019
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Anyone have any opinions on Maple, Ash and Poplar for brush piles and fish structure? That's the majority of what I have to work with. Unfortunately, I don't see any Cedars.
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice." - Donny Miller
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
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Small oaks, depending on the volume of water, shouldn't a problem but isn't a plus. My problem came about when my approx one acre pond was built. Some big oaks were taken down and I had them pushed into the bowl. It sounded like a good idea at the time. We got some good rains the next couple of days and I bought small fish and crawdads. Shortly after, the water turned black and everything died. Tannins in big quantities from fresh oaks are lethal. I bought a pump and emptied it. That took awhile for about a1/4 acre of water. Texas summer dried everything out and I burnt it. Then waited for rain that didn't come for quite awhile.
To test any wood, cut a small piece and put it in a bucket of water. After 3 or 4 days, add minnows. If they live, you ought to be OK.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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