Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Will BG wipe out FHM?

You mentioned - "" All of the fat head minnows went down to about that 20-24" depth and became essentially invisible. Is there an area they like to congregate or specific areas that I should look for them? So I would likely only run the single feeder until I saw bluegill around the structure on the other side and then would kick the second feeder up. Dumb idea or does this have some merit?""

FHM will tend to be where the most spawning structures are located such as rock piles and underwater flat surfaces where eggs are laid. Once eggs hatch the FHM fry will populate the entire pond. FHM when stocked alone or in with BG, all those two types of fish will tend to stay deeper as deep water is the most secure location for them . When predators are present the small fish will then trend toward most dense cover and shallowest water away from predators who frequent deeper water. If you are easily edible why hang out with predators?

IMO One feeder in for 2+ ac is more than ample for a couple very short feeding sessions per day until the first hatch / spawn of BG grow big enough to eat the size of pellets that you are feeding. Then natural pond foods become in short supply due to heavy competition for natural foods. Always Be watchful that the new fish are eating the feeder tossed pellets which may not be the case. Feeder tossed food that is not eaten soon grows string algae. With just minnows & BG in the pond it should be teeming with invertebrate foods to get those two stocker fish growing okay without supplimental food.