Originally Posted By: ItalyBASS
I was wondering if the biggest LMB ate the smaller ones.
If the answer is yes, my following questions are:
absolutely they are
1) Are the LMB able to distinguish a small LMB from other fish?
Yes but its all just food for them
2) Do they eat them in any case or only in the absence of other preys?
They eat anything they can get in their mouth.
3) Given the food needs of an LMB, by predating the smaller ones, how is it possible for a pond to become overcrowded by LMB?

You often find many small LMB (overcrowded - not enough food for them)in conjunction with a few very large LMB (they are eating the small LMB).

The only exception I know is both LMB and BG do not eat their own young during the spawn (immediately after). The can smell/sense their own and don't eat them during that one brief time period. They will eat other adults offspring during this time.




Last edited by ewest; 04/15/19 11:40 AM.