When I do feed, I've been using Purina Game Fish, at first I did notice the BG taking the pellets but then spitting them out. Now its more like 50/50 if they spit it out? Then again the cats are right there to gobble everything up as fast as they can. The pond is 40 yrs old, the previous owner would only come to the property a couple times a year so the pond has not been managed at all. Although the pond is man made, its as close to a natural BOW as you can get, fills w/ rain n run off, has about 30% vegetation, 5-8ft deep in various locations. No aeration, but the water seems relatively clean, no smells, or overbearing algae. Visibility about 12-16".
I can see that more feeding needs to occur for bigger BG, but just wondering why the HBG seem to be growing at a faster rate than the BG if they are both exposed to the same occasional feeding? There is a lot of forage/fingerling, minnows. So I dont think there is a lack of food? Do BG eat BG fingerling?
If the BG pictured are not stunted, should they grow with more feedings? Should I start taking out anything I catch that size?
