The larger BG I stocked last December were not feed trained initially. The small BG were feed trained. The large ones have now become feed trained, likely by interacting with the smaller ones. The large males will have brownish orange, not yellow, bellies. They will also have a "helmet head". The spawning age females have yellow bellies and slimmer (more pointy) heads. That's how I distinguish them.
I have not invested in a feeder. I am retired and enjoy feeding by hand, twice a day. I have some albino CC and BG that might take food from my hand. I am going to try that when the water comes up again so I can reach it from the dock. In my 1/4 acre pond, each feeding lately consists of about 11 ounces of mixed Optimal BG food and Cargill 36% feed, for a total of 22 oz per day, dry weight. They clean this up in about three minutes each feeding. It's getting hot and I don't want to risk overfeeding.
Last edited by John F; 06/26/16 03:44 PM. Reason: added feeding paragraph
