CJB I have for a second BCP predator. My thinking is I may need something that will hit the BG a little bit. If I need another BCP predator it will be the HSB.
Ift you have a predator that can control the Crappie from overpopulating, that means the predator has to be in high abundance and won't hey become stunted? Then, what keeps that predator from eating everything else? Mainly, I am thinking that the crappie are growing well because of plenty of food for them, why isn't the predator that eats the crappie also annihilating the crappies food source?
Fish In my thinking was CC (or even HSB) can be supplemental fed easy enough to relieve some of the predation on the natural food chain. The CC can also be supplemented a lot easier to prevent any stunting I would be worried about as the switch to a more natural predatory diet after their first year. CC are also such a scavenger that they will feed on a lot more than just what the BCP eats. The CC will probably even be eating the BCP eggs at spawn. To me LMB also tend to feed on the Gam's near the edge while the CC does not. My thinking is this allows more Gam's to survive & raise more offspring for the BCP. In the end way my thinking goes the CC is just a more diverse predator that will take the easier food source. This will mean the CC should prey on an over abundant BCP and not much of the BCP food source. I have HSB as the #2 option because they do not have a far ranging diet as the CC. The LMB is my #3 because they can reproduce and their offspring is more of a food competitor and predator with BCP.
HSB work well on crappie , should not stunt as they do not usually reproduce in ponds , but must be stocked/restocked over time. A HSB ladder stocking should work. See recent crappie posts for a plan. Also the next issue of PB mag will have an article on managing crappie.
Thanks Ewest. The HSB is the next predator on my list for BCP. I was not clear earlier that if I have a issue with the BG I was planning on same sexing a few LMB to work on the BG in the few shallow areas. I have also never had a issue with the CC reproducing in this pond. Part of my plan is to remove CC for fish fry's as they age and introduce back #1+ CC.
