My new pond (1/2 acre, Northern Ohio) was filled in April and we put fathead minnows in late May.
Now I'm seeing some fish that are about 3 inches long around the edges in the gravel. I haven't been able to catch one, but they appear to be mostly brown with two cream colored wide vertical stripes that start behind the gills.
The fish seem to burrow in the rocks, usually are in pairs and chase away minnows. I assume they are spawning. If they are spawning at that size, I guess I have nothing to worry about getting an over-population of unwanted fish since the predators I'll be stocking this fall should take care of them.
Anyone have a guess as to what these fish are?
