Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Fish Food

Hey ya'll quick question. It would seem it's easy to get fish around here in Arkansas but not so easy to get fish food for other then catfish. I have found a fish food at the local tractor supply company here called Sportsmans Choice Trophy Fish Feed for Multi types of fish, it has 36 percent protein in it. Is that good enough for BG and HSB? Or do I need to hit the 40 percent range for food? Here is the link.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/sportsman-s-choice-reg-trophyfish-trade-feed-1077733



Thanks,

Can't get the link to provide info on the product. 36% is enough for BG and HSB but it needs to be the right source of protein. That does not mean higher would not be somewhat better. There are plenty of aquaculture studies confirming that 32 % is enough for BG and HSB.

I fed that food before I found out about AquaMax. The fish feed better on the AM, and seem to grow quicker.

I believe that a fish who readily consumes a 32-36% protein feed will probably fare better than one who turns his nose up at 41%. Still, I am very happy that mine find AQ500 palatable.

Perhaps, it's occasionally a case of finding something they will readily take to, then gradually moving them onto a higher quality feed once circumstances permit.

Hey Esshup did it work ok though? I can't seem to find anything else around here. I would feed AM 500 but I am not going to pay shipping on fish food that is already fairly expensive. How long did you feed it to your fish? Did you see any results?

thanks,

Hey Eric,

Is this what you were looking for? If it is please let me know what you think before I start buying a bunch of this stuff! Thanks so much!


Features:

•36% protein to support multiple farm pond species of fish.
•Pond Balancing Technology that uses smaller morsels that sink to feed smaller fish and larger morsels that float to feed bigger fish. This Pond Balancing Technology helps promote proper food chain facilitation.
•Highly palatable to maximize intake.
•Stabilized and high levels of vitamins to ensure correct nutrient balance to support rapid growth.
Ingredients:

Grain products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain By-Products, Animal Protein Products, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin Kactivity), Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Lysine, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Fish Oil.

Find out who makes the food. Notice fish oil is the last item listed. No fish meal. What is the rest of the product? How much fat and carbs? I don't like sinking feed for warm weather feeding of most pond fish populations. What other dealers are around?

RC:

Go here type in your zip and let your fingers do the work. Even if they don't stock it, ask if they can order it.

They ate the food, but I didn't see any growth that could be attributed to the food on the BG's. CC yes.

Hey Esshup,

Thanks for the link. I called a place not to far from here they said they could order the AM 500. 38 bucks for a 50 pound bag. Does that sound about right?

Thanks to you and Eric for your help!

Roughly $10 more per bag than what I'm paying, but I'm closer to the mill so less transportation costs.

I'm also buying 5-6 bags/month too.....

Yeah they are proud of that fish food for sure!! Dang it man. Thanks for your help!

Yes they are proud, but I think fish meal and fish oil costs more than grain and chicken feathers. If you can make sure you buy it directly from a Purina dealer rather than a reseller you will get the best price.

Hey I also found a spot that sells Purina Game Fish Chow! It's only 32 percent protein but has good fish meal in it. I am assuming this would be better then the Sportsman's Choice correct? I thought I remember reading something from Bill Cody that GFC was pretty good. Even better if I could get the carnivore type???

Thanks,

The "spot" that has the Game Fish Chow should be able to also get bags of Aquamax carnivore 5D05 and/or 5D06 from their same supplier. GFC is okay but your sunfishes, yellow perch, HSB and bass will eat much better if fed the Aquamax Carnivore. Is GFC better than AM Carnivore? It depends on ones goals. IMO the best and fastest growing 'pond' sportfish will be those fed AM Carnivore.

+1 with everything Mr. Cody said. They should be able to order the Carnivore (5D05 is AM500, 6D06 is AM600) when they place their order for GFC.

GFC is fine for BG and HSB but AM is better. I use both and mix them.

Ok thanks guys for all your help on this I want to get it right when I start this in about 3 more weeks!! I can't wait to start feeding!

Thanks again!

Bill you were right!! And good news. I have to specail order so it will take a little longer to get it, but I can get the 50lbs AM 500 for 30 bucks a bag!!! I am very excited about that. I ordered 2 bags right off. I am not really sure how much I will need? I will be feeding RES,CNBG and about 10 or so HSB eventually. So now I just have to figure out how much to feed and when??

That's great. The "when" is every day.....

Yeah for real! I wonder can anyone tell me about how long just in general on average 100 pounds of AM500 will last me? Say I am feeding twice a day for about 2 to 3 seconds each time?

thanks,

A guess - 8 weeks. You have adult BG - why 500 and not 600 or a mix?

Hey Eric yes I have BG that have been in my pond now for 2 years or longer and RES. And the BG and RES I just put in the pond last week were 4 to 5 inch. Why AM 500? and not a mix? Ahh I don't have a answer for you? Cause I don't know what I am doing? I can mix the next time if you think it's better? Does the 600 feed smaller fish? Is that why you mix your feed?

Thanks,

100lbs last me a month. 1 second in the morning 1 second in the evening that's almost 4lbs a day..

Wow 1 second throws 2 pounds a food? Dang it man! That seems like a lot! Ok thanks!! I suppose that kind of depends on your feeder type too somewhat.

Yeah it dumps a ton.. Moultrie feedcaster. It says 1 second but it's more like 3 seconds because it takes a second to open stays open for a second then a second to close.. But t dumps about the perfect amount in that time it's usually gone in 10-15 mins unless it's really windy then about 1/4-1/3 gets wasted..