Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fatheads or CNBG?

I stocked my 2/3 acre pond last September with CNBG, RES , CC and FH. The shoreline yesterday was alive with thousands of fry 3/8" long swimming in small groups! I was hoping these are CNBG and not FH, question is which are more likely to spawn first? The small pond above this one has only CC and FH with no fry present but boy is it loaded with millions of water boatmen waiting on male bluegill to be introduced

I would say FH as they spawn at a cooler temp than BG or RES. Just now time for BG in the south. But I know Bob reported last year that he saw some new spawn BG in late Jan./Feb. Here is the info.

Pimephales promelas
Fathead minnow

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months

Reproductive Habits:
· Mature in 1 year
· Spawning occurs May through August in water 15-32°C
· Fecundity is 6,803-10,164 eggs per female


Fathead minnow
(Pimephales promelas)

Common name: Fathead minnow

Scientific name: Pimephales promelas

Production potential: Easy

Marketing potential: Potential: High
Size: 1-3 inches
Market: Bait

Temperature Requirements: Growing: 70oF
Spawning: 65oF
Lethal: NA
Feed requirements: Protein: 30-38%
Fat: 3-8%
Spawning requirements: Spawns during cool periods in summer and sometimes fall, eggs hatch in 5-6 days. Females lay from 200-500 eggs per spawn, spawn repeatedly during spawning season.Two methods are used to produce fry. The first is the wild or free-spawning method which 500-2,000 broodstock are stocked into ponds. Egg hatching and growing of yound to marketable size occur in the same pond. The second methodbis the fry transfer method. In this method, 20,000-25,000 broodstock are stocked into ponds in a ratio of five females per male. Fry produced in either method are trapped and counted then transferred to rearing ponds. In either method, rocks, tile, bricks, or boards are placed into ponds to provide spawning sites.
Most common
production systems:
Ponds. Fry are stocked at a rate of 50,000-300,000 per acre.

http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/aquanic/publicat/state/il-in/as-507.htm

I noticed you are in Deer Park area and I guess the pond is in Shiro. I am in Montgomery and noticed BG spawn about 4 weeks ago. They are now 1/2" and definitely BG. Based on that, and the proximity you are to me, you may have BG.

Mike

Guys pics and time line on BG.

1. Water temp 70 F + -
2. Males on nests
3. Females deposit eggs a few days later ( some proof on full or new moon)
4. 5-8 days to hatch
5. 2-3 days to swim up size
6. 10-14 days + - total for nos 4 & 5
7. 2nd pic below is at about hatch + 10 days ( 20 days + - post spawn) , 1st pic below is about swim up + 20-25 days ( 30 days + - post spawn)

This may help you determine what you are seeing.

Thanks Eric, I'll try to catch some today and post a pic when I get back Sunday.

FamilyT - If you can catch some of the small fish would you please try to get an accurate length meaurement in millimeters or to the closest 1/32". Thank you.

Anyone seen a chart or info on small BG size by age ? I would sure like to see one. Same for other fish as well.

Ewest - I can put together a chart of bgill growth rate for first and 2 yr fish. Growth data of YOY by month (Jun-Dec) are available (Carlander 1977). The main problem is the wide range or variance that exists from 1" to 5.7"(i.e.Condello strain) at yr one. A average rate can be calculated. I can put that on my long list right after our SMB nesting article.

Sounds good to me Bill. I will do some looking in the interim.