Ok Tony, let me throw another variable at you. We obviously have a longer "growing/feeding season". Do 1.5# BG live longer, and take longer to get there, due to a slower metabolism during the longer winters you have? If my CNBG live an average of 5 years, I'd be curious to know if your BG live an average of 6 or 7 years, or if the colder water is a nonissue.
I think the time the fish spends with a reduced metabolic rate (during our longer winters), might translate into a longer lifespan. But I also think there may be other variables involved also...might northern BG's suffer undue stress during the colder winters? and if so, how might this affect future growth and eventual lifespan?
And what about those fish that are heavily acclimated to pellet feeding? Is it any more stressful for them to go off feed completely, for those months when water temps are too low to feed? Will this weaken them, and cause them to become susceptible to disease/fungus?
Good question Al, I wish I knew the answer. I hope one of the smart people weighs in on it.
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