SSJSayajin,
The minnow in the 4th pic is Gambusia Affinis. They probably invaded your pond. They are pretty much everywhere in KS. They are great to have in your pond if they can persist.
Regarding the crayfish ... Northerns exude eggs in the spring so small crayfish stocked this year will grow to adults this summer and breed this fall. Females should be berried in the March through April period. Depending on survival of the initial stocking. There could be bumper crop of crays next year. It only takes 55 berried females to produce a crop of 600 lbs of crayfish (assuming 70% survival -- eg a crawfish growout). Crayfish are leverage forage because they grow really fast, have parental care during the early stages, and are energy dense. It takes a pretty good sized fish to eat adults. How long were you to wait to stock predators? BTW, Northerns don't burrow AFAIK but they might keep the pond turbid next year if the numbers are high.
Last edited by jpsdad; 07/15/23 05:53 PM.
