Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Down side to stocking TFS ?

I have a 5 acre pond built in 2014. I stocked FHM, CNBG and F1 bass in 2015.
I added HSB (150) and Talipia this year.
Other than the cost, is there a down side to stocking 5000 TFS ?

At your location they may die in a cold winter. They would help as forage and not overly compete with your exiting species. They require a fertile pond (plankton bloom is their food).

Thanks
I figure it is a 50/50 chance whether they make it or not.
some years we have a winter, some years not so much.

Better odds than the Talipia

I am just worried the Shad will compete with the Talipia for planton and I might be shooting myself in the foot

How is your water visibility ?

Buff you r one hr drive from me almost due west. My pond is 1.5 acres smaller and shallower than yours, just for discussion. So I think it depends on your goals and pocket book. Todd (who u have met) recommended both Tp and TFS for my pond. The TFS made it through this past winter, Tp not so much. I stocked the Tp last yr April 1st and by this past Dec, I had what I would call a large amount of Tp. I have seen TFS in my pond recently but have no way to count how many there are. They should have spawned by now. I have thought of adding more and discussed adding more TFS with Walt and Todd. I was told they will spawn in my pond this spring.

Hope all is well with you with all the rain we have had.

Tracy

TFS can be hard to see from shore. Look for small dimples/flecks/splashes out in the lake around dusk. If you stocked adult or near adult (that is what is sold) TFS last spring then they probably spawned in late summer/fall.

Would Golden Shiners be more winter hardy than Threadfins?

Yes GS do not have a cold tolerance issue. But they are not an identical substitute and may have issues (disease and reproduction) of their own.

Normally a pretty green color but we have had so much rain in the last few weeks it is muddy.
It usually clears up after a week or so after a flood

If you have spring/summer visibility of 18 - 24 inches and green you should be ok for food for TFS.