Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Sunfish-Including Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass RES SPAWNING BEDS.......EVER SEEN THIS?

I WAS WALKING AROUND THE EDGE TODAY AND CAME UPON A STRANGE SITE,THE RES HAVE MADE SOME BEDS ALONG THE SHORE ABOUT 2 DOZEN ORSO WERE ARE IN WATER FROM 4 INCHES TO 2 FT. OVER ABOUT 6/7 FT. LONG AND IN THE MIDDLE I SEE 5 LMB RANGEING FROM 8IN. TO.16IN. AND ALOT OF LARGE G.SHINERS PESTERING EACH OTHER AND EVERYONE ELSE!SO I RETURN LATER TO CHECK THINGS OUT BECOUSE I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THEM SPAWN,AND I FOUND A LARGE SNAPPER WITH ITS HEAD DOWN APEARING TO BE ROOTING IN THE NESTS!!I SCARED OFF BECAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO WADE OUT AND TAKE A CHANCE ON DOING MORE DAMAGE SO MY QUESTIONS ARE;WILL A SNAPPER EAT EGGS OR MORE LIKELY HAVE BEEN AFTER THE FISH?AND DO OTHER SPECIES USE OTHERS NEST,IN THIS CASE THE LMB/GSHINERS?IREAD THAT SHINERS MAY EAT EGGS ALSO BUT COULDNT TELL IF THATS THE CASE OR NOT.ANYONE EVER SEE THIS BEFORE?

Very interesting find! I don't know the answer but will be interested to see what folks have to say about it. Almost seems like it had to be eating eggs - not much a fish could do to drive a snapper away, either, I suspect.

The tiny eggs of RES would be of no interest to a snapper. However, concentrations of spawning fish, could be of interest to a snapper.

Yes, there are examples of species of fish using the nest of other species. This is more common in stream dwelling species, however there is at least one pond dwelling species that has some documentation of using other another species nest. In the case of seeing the LMB cruising around the RES nests, just like the snappers, they are most likely looking for easier meals. GSH are known egg eaters and they are no doubt sneaking into the nests of your RES for a quick meal. Many species do this, not just GSH, but they are notorious for this.

What you saw is not uncommon and to be expected. Sit back and watch nature at work and the miracles she is.