I did provide Cecil with the information for the Hybrid bgill study that included Georgia giants. The web location study that Cecil cited above appears to me to be a poster session or presentation that the authors presented at a professional meeting. The inforamtion that I gave Cecil was a reprint of the published research dealing with the same data.
Citation is: "Effect of Diet and Strain on Growth and Performance in Hybrid Bluegills" by B.M.Stinefelt, J.C. Eya, K.J. Semmens, K.P.Blemings. 2004. North American Journal of Aquaculure 66:312-318.
The reference in the poster presentation to food of 42%protein 18%fat was an error in the poster presentation; 42:18 was not used in the growth study. It should have read 42:16 which explains the discrepancy that "tritonvt" pointed out.
Additional details of the study:
1. fish were raised in 40 g aquarium; 30 fish (duplicates) per flow thru aquarium, 73F-78.8F.
2. all fish starting size were 4.2"-4.5" and were grown for 12 wks, fed to satiation 2x per day. End - Ave. sizes were GG=5.25" (Ken's Fish Farm Alpaha,GS and regular hybrid BG 4.87" from Logan Hallow Fish Farm Murphysboro, IL.
3. lowest feed conversion of both test fish was with the 32% protein feed; best conversion as with the 42% protein feed. Note the analytical analysis of the 42% feed from Melick Feeds, PA actually contained 44.5%protein. However the 45/20 diet resulted in reduced growth rate of both types of hybrids. Starch levels the feeds used ranged from 18.8%-37.5%.
4. Authors noted there was a high degree of variability in fish growth within tanks. I think this was due to individual fish competition and territorial behavior within the confines of each tank. This even in the pond setting can affect feeding behavior and growth.
5. Overall GG growth rate was four times that of comparison HBG and GG achieved three times better feed converision than regular HBG.
6. Keep in mind that this was an aquarium study not a pond study, it ran for only 12 weeks and growth rates may be different when fish reach maturity when protein requirements could change. More research is needed with these fish.
