DonoBBD - That is a good question that probably does not have a good firm answer. Several things likely influence how many YOY perch learn to eat pellets. I think main factors are: A. how long the genetic stock had been domesticated of the original perch. The more the previous generations had been pellet trained the greater the percentage of YOY will go to pellets. B. How much natural food is in the pond. The less natural food is in the pond the more likely the young perch will try to eat pellets. Keeping the number high of new perch that learn to eat pellets each year is an important management practice in maintaining a long term high quality perch fishery.
I think you are correct, the skinny slow growing young perch are more likely to get eaten by another fish due to the skinny fish remaining relatively small compared to faster growing siblings.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 01/03/14 05:12 PM.
