Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Channel Cats have stoped feeding?

When I first started feeding the CC they fed more aggressively every day and the number of them eating pellets seemed to increase. My pond has gone through a lot of changes since then and the CC feed less every day. I am feeding the same amount or slightly more but the food is quickly devoured by everything from fathead and gambusia minnows to CNBG and tilapia. The tilapia and CNBG range from tiny minnow size to 6" cnbg and 1# tilapia. There are literally thousands of forage fish and minnows. With CC as the only predators at this time. Does anyone think the CC have quit feeding on the pellets because of the large numbers of forage fish? I always thought of CC as being lazy and not chasing their prey when an easy meal was available. I feed the same time every day at dawn and the amount is about 4# 5 days a week for around 200# of catfish. I have tried fishing for them several days and they don't bite. Should I stop feeding? Can the biomass of my pond get out of hand without more predators? Has anyone else noticed a similar feeding pattern?

PFF - the CC could be interested in spawning this time of year and their attention may be focused elsewhere. It's also possible that with an abundent forage base present they could already be very well satiated when the feeder goes off. I know that about mid July every year the bass fishing at our pond gets very tough due to all of the YOY present in the water, the same thing could be happening with your CC.

Thank you Shorty- So should I stop feeding? My pond is bank to bank forage fish. When I feed I can see thousands of tiny splashes every second where they are pecking at pellets way too large for them to swallow.

I would keep feeding even if it's just the forage fish that are eating the pellets. You could cut back the amount of feed until you see the CC feeding again. The pellets will transfer up the food chain to the CC. If the CC are wanting to spawn then they may be back to feeding regularly here shortly.

I had been feeding mini chunk dog food for about five years. In the past the cc and bg's would go after it fairly agressively, but this year they seemed to lose interest. I switched to Aqua Max ominvore varity, and they are feeding more aggressive than ever, and putting on weight.

You might try changing your feed.

PFF what predator do you have that can eat a 4in. BG or a 6in. tilapia. If none then you will need to do something or you will encounter problems with carrying capacity/and or stunting. IMO CC which are eating feed will not by themselves control BG #s much less tilapia and BG. If you think there are a lot now just wait until they spawn in the spring.

My plan was to stock the largest available HSB this fall and maybe some Bass. If I don't get some rain soon Dust Bunnies may be my major predator. Down 4.5' from spillway level.

Stick with your plan if enough water. In the meantime enjoy eating a few 1lb tilapia and think about emergency aeration.