My second pond has for most of the warm season had a healthy feeding population consisting of 20 feed trained RES and (the number is currently up to) 22 large male BG. There also have been lots of Gambusia eating pellets, althought the number and aggressiveness of these has been reduced over the year by SMB and YP predation. (YP/SMB/RES/male BG and two 12"+ GC are the only fish present larger than a FHM. No Bullheads, Sunil!)

During the last week or so, a fair number of fish intermediate in size between the Gams and the 8.5"+ sunfish have begun cautiously taking pellets each evening. I have not gotten a good/close enough look yet to identify them. So help me figure out (WAGs heartily welcomed) which of the following or other possibilities are what is going on:

1) YP, now mostly 7" - 8", figuring out pellet feeding. (I think most likely.)

2) SMB, now mostly 9" or so, figuring out pellet feeding. (Possible, but I think they would hit pellets aggressively - that's not the case.)

3) Last year's RES spawn (3" through 6") miraculously learning pellet feeding on their own. (It could be, but don't hold your breath.)

4) Theo screwed up sexing BG and accidentally stocked one or more females, resulting spawn is of course taking pellets. (No little BG have been caught, compared to loads of little RES. It would still be better than Bullheads, I guess.)

What do y'all think? Did I miss any possibilities?

When I get conclusive info on what's eating pellets I will let you know. Winner gets the satisfaction of being right, plus, a bag of Aquamax will be purchased in your honor.

A pair of manatee have be teleported to your pond and have taken a liking to your pellets.

Oh and by the way, I can think of many, many more possibilities.

HSB that Dr. Frankenbruce slipped into the pond last winter while doing his Northern Pond survey. Didn't you see the foot skin imprints stuck in the pond ice?

My guess - both YP and year old RES. But could be all of the above.

Any GSH in the pond?

Notice the rings while feeding, Theo? I know my YP make a very distinctive figure eight pattern of ripples when they take pellets. If not that at least eliminates one option.

My smallies don't hit pellets agressively at all. They just come up to a pellet, open their mouth, and inhale.

Figure 8? That's interesting.

Mine do the same thing. It's virtually a certainty that the little double ring or "figure eight" is always going to be a yellow perch. They nip at it, then their tail ticks the water surface as they make their roll.

I haven't seen any figure 8's yet, just a few infinity symbols.

That's entirely different.

1. You must have a portal to another dimension 'neath your pond -a worm hole if you like, the ripples you notice are evidence of re-entry points.

2. Infinity is also the sign for Cygnus, God of Balance, and these fish are trying to communicate there's a battle between the followers of Apollo and Bacchus waging below.

Of course if you were a RUSH or Star Trek fan you'd already have surmised as such. Jeesh!

There is unrest in Gallus pond
there is trouble with the fish;
For the Bluegill want more pellets
but the bass ignore their wish.

Why don't you go Roll the Bones, TJ.

Now that I know what I'm looking for, I can see a fair number of Figure 8's in the lighter pellet hits on the pond. You've really got to look at them quick, as the ripple loci are so close together (like, a small YP length apart) that it all turns into a circle by the time it is 3-4 feet in diameter.

I'm still waiting for direct evidence from a caught YP that it has eaten pellets.

Worm hole, epic battles between Greek Gods, or YP, I suppose. I feel the latter is a little less entertaining, however.

Just keep in mind Theo that if two of them are feeding in close proximity they might form a figure 16.

Nice poem TJ, now how about a limerick...

There once was a yellow perch from Ohio,

Figure 8's huh? What are you guys smoking?

Definitely YP. I got a good look at stomach contents tonight, and it was made by Purina.

I am happy to hear your YP are feasting on pellets. Is this a new development or have they always been feeding, I wonder? Is their growth consistent [accelerated] with pellet feeding?

PS: I think you should appropriately refer to them for now on as your Cygnus Fish

Bummer, I was really, really hoping you had Manatee.

Fairly new behavior. I hope their growth rate pickes up as a result.


Let's not Rush into anything.