When I added the 100 YP in my pond they were about 3-4 inches at most. I would be worried to add so many YP of any real size. I know the Heron found a few of my original YP. I also know that my SMB have been working on the smaller YP once they got some size to them.

I agree that if they are all feed trained that you will take some pressure off from the FHM, but once they are free of the cages you will see them take many many many of the FHM in short order. I went from having over a few million FHMs in the pond to seeing schools of only a few thousand at a time after the 3-4 inch YP went into the pond. Once the SMB were added I was down to schools of a few hundred FHM the first year. Now a few years later I see a few FHM hiding in the rocks here or there and very few schools of baby FHMs. That is with adding a few pounds yearly.

Thus why do I say this, I am concerned that your stocking even with pellets, ( I feed as well ), will soon overtake the FHMs.

I strongly agree with Ewest that if you do add FHM, add maybe 10-15 lbs to kick start the system. You will need that type of help to deal with the YP. I also would strongly suggest to hold off on the SMB for a year until everything stabalizes a bit more.

Just for what its worth.


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1/10 - 1/4 acre pond plus 16 ft deep/ Plus 40 ft by 20 ft by 6 ft deep koi and fathead minnow pond next to it. Upstate NY