Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Change in feeding habits

I've noticed in the past month a change in feeding habits in my pond - used to be only the catfish would come up and take the feed. Usually very aggressively, but in the last month the catfish have lost interest in the feed but the bluegills are eating it now. I've noticed more small bluegills and small bass in the shallows lately.

Does this make any sense? Is it indicative of a problem?

Same type of feed, same location, same amount.

Different species of fish emphasize pellet feeding diferently depending on the season. I doubt what you are seeing is indicative of a problem.

Theo - Thanks for the response - just curious, this is our 2nd year with this pond and we didn't see this type of change last year, although we had a lot more catfish then as well.

If I had to guess, I would say that the decreasing water temps might possibly affect some species earlier than others. If the catfish aren't there, then the bluegill aren't threatened by them and might be more apt to feed.

I too have experienced a lack of catfish feeding activity since the season began to change. Last week, I fed one afternoon and the activity was aggressive, the very next day, not one fish...even a bg fed. But the ducks had a good feed!