Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Golden Shiner v.s. Regular Shiner?

I think a list of forage types, their characteristics, and stocking recommendations could serve as a useful reference guide for all of us considering establishing alternative forage species.

Thus far my experience with GSH has been favorable. My apex predator role is served by YP, HSB and SMB - all species with smaller gape. No LMB or CC in my ponds. I have GSH stocked in all my ponds and the adults [reaching 8-10"] will remain fairly safe from predation considering the gape issue. It's a good scenario for me as technically speaking I should have a self sustaining population of GSH when the adults are safe from predation and are able to reproduce consistently. I'm hopeful some of the adults will die from age or occasional predation and I don't end up with an overpopulation of adult GSH in my ponds. No expert has suggested this as a potential issue yet.

Here's a GSH scenario that isn't so favorable: IIRC one pond meister's experience with GSH were that they competed heavily with his BG for the same food niche of invertabrates, etc. and the BG size/growth/population suffered. Again, IIRC big BG were one of his goals, and the presence of GSH prevented acheiving that goal. For him, GSH had a negative impact.