Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Grass Carp, Feeding , and Weeds

I have 3 acre bass pond in Ga, in third year since renovation with serious floating pondweed problem(Potomo natans). I also have some automatic feeders which the grass carp like. The carp are not controlling the pondweed. I stocked 35 carp.

I was sonsidering stopping feeding for the remainder of the season to see if the carp start eating the pondweed.

Any comments on cessation of the feeding for this season?

Frank,

I've noticed a definite fall off in the quantity of what the grass carp consumes as a function of age. The older they get, the less they seem to eat (unlike me ). Because of that and in order to avoid overstocking them, I add a few new grass carp to my ponds each year to maintain that consumption...but my approach has been somewhat negated by escaping grass carp going over the spillways in very heavy rains.

To try to answer your question, if you have older grass carp (and three years is older in my opinion) I doubt it will make much difference if you turn off the feeders. Get some new younger GC in there and I'd bet you see a difference.

MeadowLark
Thanks
I thought about some younger blood. And I think I lost some in April with heavy rain over the spillway.

I was thinking about comments regarding stopping fertilizing - the common wisdom is you cannot stop or you have a crash.

Is a crash a consideration when stopping feeding?

Frank

Frank,
I believe I am correct in saying the "crash" from stopping feeding comes only if due to feeding you are above the normal/natural carrying cap. of your pond. If your goal was to max production of the pond & you over stocked then your fish may become stunted due to not enough forage.
If you don't have too many fish & you stop feeding then their growth will simply slow down relative to feeding unless there is sufficient forage for them to revert to.

Ric

Thanks

I am seriously considering stopping feeding for the remainder of this season to see if my grass carp will return to eating weeds.

Frank

I'm certain if I were in your shoes I'd be thinking the same.
Hopefully someone with some expertise will give you some advise.

Frank, we feed high protein Purina Aquamax and have no evidence of grass carp feeding.

In my opinion, the extra cost of high protein feed over catfish food, is well justified in producing high quality, fast growing BG, HSB, and unfortunately - overstocked CC.

I believe I recall others posting common experience with grass carp eating "common" catfish food - or maybe it was tilapia?

George Glazener

Frank, George has a point and did not think to tell you about that. George what protein level you talking about 40%?

Frank we sell trout chow $23/bag it is 44% protein and 20% fat. Amazing haw fast the trout can grow. We also sell and 32% and 36% (smaller pellet) $12 and $16. I have convinced many clients to switch to the 36 vs 32 b/c I feel it is worth the extra $4/bag. Now is it worth the extra $7 more of the trout chow. I think it is not.

Ok, my point is I have in the spring both trout and grass carp in the same holding pond. I fed the trout chow and only trout eat it. I have a few trout left just to see how long they will make it. I fed 36% and the grass carp eat like crazy. So I went back to fed trout chow and they would not touch it. SO is it worth the extra $7/bag for better growth and keeping the grass carp from eating it maybe so. This will also really help the growth of your hybrid.

On another note how many acres of potomo do you think you have. If less than 1 acre I would spray with Reward. We can kill that much with less than 1/2 gallon. My guys will be in Macon next week so send me email if you need somehting.

Greg - 42%.......

yep George that fits with our theory then. Smells fishy high fish meal and grass carp are supposed to eat plant material. How much is that food in TX if you don't mind me asking?

Cost about $23-24 bucks/50# most places.
$20 at some country feed stores......

I am feeding Purina Game Fish Chow from one feeder and Aquamax from 2 feeders. I have more carp at the GFC feeder but definitely see them at the Aquamax Feeders.

Today I saw largemouth eating GFC.

Greg I have at least 1 acre of potomo. I will send you email.

Thanks

Frank