Well, that's interesting information......I don't doubt the mortality prognosis at all; I'm new to this- only had fish in the pond for ~a year, so I don't have any established patterns as yet....just have to rely on what I observe.
So...you're saying dead fish don't always float.....? :-) Understood. Just fwiw: I don't have turtles, crayfish, cormorants, large predator fish, etc. etc. So...not sure what would consume dead fish; maybe just natural decomposition? I don't kid myself at all that something from the sky or woods can figure out how to snatch fish from the pond; just haven't observed anything like that as yet. Also, a local friend says that turtles in the area (inc. snapping turtles), will eventually be drawn to the pond naturally....we'll see....
The HSB were stocked Oct. 25, and I stopped feeding soon after, therefore I observed ZERO HSB feeding at all during that short period. I'll keep my eyes open for them as I continue to feed, but they are fairly distinctive looks-wise, so there shouldn't be much confusion if an HSB comes to the surface. I find it difficult to believe that ALL the stocked HSB would die off right away and I'd never see them.....but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I will take your advice: watch carefully between now and end of April, and if none show up, I'll restock the HSB.
Last edited by BJ Nick; 03/09/26 03:21 PM.
