Ok back to this thread. IMO this is not stunting. You don't measure stunting in BG and RES like that. Here is why. Because of their reproductive nature (many yoy with only a few surviving to adult status) it is necessary for many to die in year one. Most die from starvation (born at the wrong time when no right size plankton is available) or to much competition from other yoy (LMB , BG , Shiners , FH , YP etc)for food. With their high initial growth rates they could look like that (or die) if right size food was missing for a week. Stunting is measured IMO in adults and near adults. In the written studies (and State Agency books) stunting in BG is talking about over year old BG stunting and becoming a problem -- same for LMB.

This does not mean however that you should not watch for bad condition (lack of food)undersized for age in your yoy fish as that is clearly an indication of class size and condition (a warning of possible problems to come). Class size in sunfish is wildly variable due to lots of factors and should be watched. But that is a natural condition and not IMO stunting but genetically imbedded in the species for survival purposes. In other words stunting is measured in an entire population not just a few of one size yoy.

Last edited by ewest; 12/16/13 04:14 PM.