I think the growth from 3" RES to 9.25" in 11 growing months (ewest estimate) is possible. This growth averages out to slightly less than 0.5mm per day. I have seen 3"-4" yellow perch and BG grow close to or at 1 mm/day. 11 months X 30 days = 330days x 0.5mm/day = 165mmm. Assuming a few of the 3" RES were 3.5" and maybe a few were 4" this is 89-101mm. 90mm + 165mm = 255mm which is 10". If the pond had lots of soft shelled snails such as the genus Physella, the newly stocked RES could have had all the snails to eat they wanted and growth could have been optimum. Does anyone have any info on the nutrition value of snails compared to fish?
