Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Observation on Feed Fed Largemouth Bass

Here is some info. I will find some more.


Pellet-reared Largemouth Bass Competitive Ability at Various Levels of Exposure to Live Forage
Kyle T. Rachels, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University, Mail Slot 4912, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Gordon R. Taylor, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University, Mail Slot 4912, Pine Bluff,
AR 71601
Brandon M. Baumhoer, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University, Mail Slot 4912, Pine Bluff,
AR 71601
Sagar Shrestha, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University, Mail Slot 4912, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Steve E. Lochmann, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University, Mail Slot 4912, Pine Bluff,
AR 71601
Abstract: We investigated the effects of exposing pellet-reared, advanced-fingerling largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to live forage on the ability
of bass to capture live forage (competitive ability). Wild and pellet-reared largemouth bass were paired in competitive trials in 75-L aquaria and offered
live fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Prior to competitive trials, pellet-reared largemouth bass were placed into trial groups and fed fathead
minnows daily for 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 days among groups. Pellet-reared largemouth bass without exposure to live forage captured the fathead minnow in
9% of competitive events against wild fish and captured significantly fewer fathead minnows than pellet-reared largemouth bass with exposure to live
forage (logistic regression; P < 0.05). Pellet-reared largemouth bass with exposure to live forage before competitions were similar to wild largemouth
bass in competitive ability. Regression analysis predicted pellet-reared largemouth bass with nine days of prestocking live forage exposure would have a
similar ability to compete for food as wild largemouth bass. Providing pellet-reared largemouth bass with live forage for nine days before stocking may
provide the benefits of both pellet and live-forage rearing.

Our data revealed substantial differences in competitive ability
between wild and hatchery largemouth bass reared exclusively on
pellets. Wild fish captured the minnow in 10 of the 11 pairwise
comparisons. These results illuminate a mechanism that potentially
contributes to the high mortality observed in stocking programs
conducted with pellet-reared largemouth bass (e.g., Heidinger and
Brooks 2002, Porak et al. 2002, Janney 2006, Thomas and Dockendorf
2009). Even if pellet-reared fish are able to learn to identify
natural food items post-stocking, they may continue to be outcompeted
by wild fish. Individuals that lose a competition have a
lower probability of winning future competitions than individuals
that have established dominance or individuals without previous
competition experience (Beacham and Newman 1987). Tiira et al.
(2009) found individuals that lost initial competitions grew less
over 8 mo than the individuals that won competitions. They also
found relative dominance was stable over long periods, with initial
competition winners maintaining dominance over losers after 8
mo. If food is limiting and pellet-reared largemouth bass are poor
competitors, as demonstrated in this study, they might contribute
little to the population in which they are stocked.