Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Will RES herd FHM?

Based on my aquarium observations your RES will leave the largest FHMs alone and eat mostly FHM under 2" long. They won't eat a FHM that they can not completely fit in their mouth, 2-1/2" was the maximum size I saw mine eat when my RES were 9" long, they prefer smaller FHM. I say go with it and see what happens.

Shorty, that may explain why my largest FHMs swim through RES spawning areas by the dozens oblivious to the nearby RES. Apparently they know they're safe. This could be interesting.

When RES are spawning they have other things on their mind rather than eating.

One other thing about my aquarium observations, my RES would rarely chase minnows during the day when the tank light was on. Once the lights went out though, it was "game on". The vast majority of FHM I fed them vanished overnight.

I only see the 'herding' and surfacing of FHM in low light conditions. So that makes sense. I may have to look into this aquarium thing. Sounds like you're learning quite a bit from it.

Corey what are your goals? Trophy res? If so think about adding another predator species like smb or yp will help cull yoy res and add a bonus species. Or just perform the experiment and see how thing go you can always add predators later but may have to manage a low wr population of res and thin them when stocking predators later but that's not a chore!

TJ, I'd say I have 2 goals in mind. 1) a fishing hole where kids can catch fish and 2) a project that fuels my curiosity. I want this project to be fun for my kids (catching fish) as well as a learning experience for my kids and myself. So most likely I'm already well on my way to those goals whether I go res/FHM or if I add predators.

Per our chat today, consider YP and SMB stocking to provide additional species to target and help cull RES to achieve better top end size. HBG stocking will provide an aggressive species for kids to catch. I strongly suspect the SMB and YP will prey upon YOY and age 1 fish and HBG will cannibalize enough of it's YOY and age 1 fish to help prevent management issues. Since HBG offspring are 97% male, the predation in addition to selective harvest of all Female HBG caught or trapped should keep population manageable per Tony's science. Per Cody - stock new HBG genetics periodically to help prevent HBG from reverting to nearly pure GSF characteristics. I'm guessing 50-100 fish every 2-3 years would suffice, but that's not based upon any practical experience, just my WAG. Tony and Bill should be able to help enlighten us with finer points. I think this fishery would be too cool - and these additional species will all pellet train readily to help accelerate growing process.

I don't know that RES will provide the angling return of the HBG and other species, so if one of your goals is to provide steady action for the kiddos, that's why I'm suggesting additional species.

Not specific to the original question but additional RES info here