Levon,

I think I'm probably about the only person(still posting) on this forum (other than Gator) who has actually stocked, raised, and studied the GG in their own pond. I've studied them carefully for about a year now. You can see my documented results on my website.

I don't consider one year of study of the GG enough experience to warrant solid recommendations, but I can offer some observations.

1) they are an absolute blast to catch and under measured conditions have proven to be (on my ponds) about 40% more aggressive than other BG including native BG and CNBG.

2) the growth rates have been impressive...not 400% as claimed in some marketing things you may see, but very good, solid growth which exceeds national studies for BG and CNBG in the State of Texas.

3) sustainability is one of the big questions I still have regarding these fish. Many folks on this Forum have predicted some very dour happenings for ponds stocked with GG's. Predictions have included take-over by green sunfish and/or green sunfish look alikes.

The key parameter to sustainability of the target GG fish is having adequate predators in the pond. In my case, I use the HSB as the only predator and stock them in a 5 to 1 ratio with the GG's...that is 1 HSB for every 5 GG stocked. This ratio, I believe is critical to successfully growing out the target fish. I believe the HSB offers the best choice for a predator for the GG's for many reasons, one of which is the numbers of HSB can be very accurately controlled.

Based on my one year of experience, I believe the sustainability issue often raised with the GG's is vastly overstated. In my case, I didn't see virtually any surviving GG offspring until September following a Dec. prior stocking. I began seeing a few ( two to four or five) offspring in traps in September. Those fish have now completely disappeared. None are showing up...not a one. Indicating predation by the HSB....but one year isn't enough time to make any conclusions yet.

I should add that the pond under study is small, less than 1/4 acre, and shallow 5 to 6 feet max.

One additional observation, the GG is a minnow eating fish. They prefer live small minnows. The recommendation of stocking Gambusia with these fish is extremely smart, very intelligent combo. Fatheads will not survive predation, but the Gams will not only survive but provide a preferred food source for the GG's.

I have several ponds and several more on the way. The GG pond, although very small, provides tremendous entertainment for my grandkids, friends, and myself. If you have any questions on my experience, I'd be happy to try to respond to them.

p.s. the study results, pictures and documentation I referred to can be see at http://www.meadowlarkponds.com/TGG.htm