Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Food preferences

We built a two-acre pond in central VA last year and stocked it with 2-3" CNBG, 100 mature Northern BG (many 1 lb or over), and RES from 2-3" up to well over 1lb. Started feeding AM last summer, and fish responded very well. I began feeding the leftover AM this spring (I know it has a shelf life, but it is what I had on hand), and the fish responded very well. I began using another brand (Souther States Big Strike and Little Strike) and there aren't nearly as many fish coming to the feeder...I would estimate there are about 10-20% as many coming now as ther were before (an 80-90% decline). I was attributing it to the fish's preparation for spawning and likely spreading out across the pond, but this morning it hit me that it could be a switch in food...perhaps they just don't like the new variety as much?

Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you notice a material decline in feeding activity during spawning time?


Thanks!

Yes on big BG and Tilpaia both stopping eatting (At least at my place).

Just curious, what was the time span between running out of the AM, and reloading with the new food? Also, does it look the same, and is it the same size as the AM?

I actually added the new food on top of the old in the feeder. It does look very close to the same...same size, I think it is a little lighter colored.

When you say that the big BG and Tilapia stopped eating...are you referring to the time period during the spawn? I haven't seen any spawning beds yet, but my BG are about to bust open.

Yes, during the current spawn they've quit. Still getting tons of the smaller 2-7" BG, but the big girls are gone. I haven't had any come to the feeders in the last several weeks.

I was thinking that if the food stopped, the BG may have just migrated away, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Others can chime in on this, but the weird spring temperature fluctuations plus the spawn are kind of a one, two punch. My feeders have really been hit or miss this year. More so than in the past.

Is there very much evidence to suggest that BG would have a strong preference for AM over other brands, like Southern States? I know the protein content of AM is much higher, but providers in my area are very scarce (one), and the price difference is very substantial (Aquamax is nearly 4x the cost of Southern States). I don't mind if the other brand won't promote quite the growth that AM will. My thought is that I can afford to feel a lot more of the other brand than I can the AM, thereby making it worthwile. However, if the fish aren't going to eat the Southern States, I will have to pay the higher price for AM.

Some food is better than none, provided the food matches the species. I am not aware of any comparable food where one costs 4X the other. Post the contents of the SS food you would be using. See what the Purina dealer is selling Game Fish Chow for. Lots of posts here on different foods.

SS food--36% protein, 6% fat. Ingredients--animal protein products, grain products, plant protein products, processed grain by products, etc. No mention of fish in the ingredients. This costs about $13 per bag vs AM $50 per bag. But it sounds like I'm trying to feed a cow to a fish. I haven't asked about the Game fish chow.