On April 1 of this year I stocked fifty (50) 4 to 6 inch HSB in a grow-out pond to evaluate the feasibility of getting them to 8 inches and above the main predator threshold.
Today, I drained the grow-out pond anticipating the transfer of the HSB and to prepare the pond for a new role as a great Kid's pond beginning this fall.
Result: complete failure of HSB. Not a one was found, not a single fish. It has been very dry here as most places this summer and of course very hot. The surprising thing was that there was no evidence of a fish kill along the way.
Fortunately, 50 other HSB went into the main pond where I can see them trying to fight there way into the feed with the much larger HSB many of which are now approaching 4 pounds...so the growing season was not lost, in fact, was normal as 50 is the normal stocking number for me spring and fall.
Live and learn, however in this case I didn't learn what happened to them, only that the grow-out effort was a complete failure.
I suspect high temps were their undoing, but will be interested to hear other theories.
The good news is the Kid's pond is now a big step closer. After a drying period, I will push the muck out and be ready to stock by early fall.
Bring on the Rio Grande's!
