Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait PK Shrimp order

Would they live and thrive in Illinois?

PK shrimp will definately thrive in IL providing the habitat is correct i.e. fine bladed weed cover is best. This type of habitat provides a food source and good cover from predators. Without the habitat it is like putting pheasants out in an open field with only several brush piles and expecting them to survive.

Here's a thread that discusses my experience with GS

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=283903&page=1

Unfortunately, last year I pretty much wiped out all weeds in my pond. All I have now is a couple small sections of some leafy type plant, maybe 5 little fine blade tall grass bushes, and a but load of FA. I really don't have much habitat for them but I like the idea of having them (keep these in mind for later date )

How did you lose all your submerged vegetation? What type did you have growing?

I had 12' of primrose completely surrounding the pond.. First I sprayed it with cutrine let it die, then weedeatered it off below the surface, so far it is still gone but I'm sure it'll be back.. Then I did the same thing to this really thick water grass bit I burnt it off after it died, that killed about 75% of it some is coming back.. Then I sprayed all my banks last year then burnt them off a couple weeks ago now I can walk and moe damn near right up to the waters edge on 90% of the pond.. We'll see how it plays out this summer.. Sorry I don't know any scientific names..

Any rocky areas with crevices?

None Lol

I was going to say although vegetation is ideal, rocky crevices are an alternative habitat grass shrimp seem to utilize.

Yeah I'd have to put habitat in for them. They'd never last in my current setup. I really like the idea though..

Try introducing some beneficial vegetation like american or other cultivar of pondweed. The PK shrimp love it, and it's easy to seine and fish through. With luck after establishing beneficial vegetation it will tie up enough nutrients to prevent invasive or undesirable vegetation from growing, like FA or your Primrose. I have literally thousands of seeds during the summer - sure you have pondweed close to you somewhere and seeds available.