May we ask who told you that. That is not true but there is a ounce of truth in the statement. A gross over simplification.

Male BG growth does slow when they are the spawners but does not stop (Cecil's point). Further that is not the same as sexually mature. One reason to leave the biggest male BG in the pond is because they suppress spawning in the smaller but sexually mature males. Because the smaller sexually mature males don't actually spawn due to this suppression they don't spend energy on nest making , guarding and fry protection. Thus they have more energy reserves to grow faster. The actual development of gametes in male BG does effect (reduce) growth to a small degree as that energy could go to growth if not used in the reproductive process. Application of energetics. To my knowledge there is nothing you can do about the latter as they are male BG after all.

There are a number of reasons for a stunted BG pond. Usually it is due to lack of food. It can result from overharvesting of large male BG or other poor harvest mgt. It can result from some other number of environmental matters effecting year class size and predation. It can also be a result of a poor stocking plan. I have not seen stunted BG in a well thought out and properly managed pond.

The comment is a good example of how a little knowledge can be dangerous.


Last edited by ewest; 03/30/12 03:40 PM.