Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose 1-2" vs 3-4" CNBG

My pond is filling up faster than I thought it would and it looks like I am going to be able to start stocking by the end of October. My original plan was to stock 1-2" CNBG and FHM. My questions are:
1. What are the, if any, advantages/disadvantages of stocking the larger CNBG?
2. Will they produce more offspring the first year?
3.If I do can or should I reduce the stocking rates(1,000/acre)?
4. Will they feed on the FHM and reduce their numbers before I stock the LMB and HSB next year?

I would stock most of the 1-2" CNBG and talk to your supplier to see if you could add a few 3-4" CNBG. That way you would have a little larger CNBG to insure a great spring spawn. I would not reduce the number per acre leave it the same. If you start feeding your CNBG in the spring I don't think they will feed on your FHM much over the winter. PS. You can get a pond run CNBG for the same price as the 1-2' most of the time. They will be mostly 1-2' with some 3-4 mixed .

1. What are the, if any, advantages/disadvantages of stocking the larger CNBG? Not any in the south if you are making a LMB/BG pond. A mix of sizes is a great idea as it mimics a normal population.


2. Will they produce more offspring the first year? Yes BG reproduction is tied to condition and size of the fish (bigger female more eggs and bigger male = better protection of eggs/fry)

3.If I do can or should I reduce the stocking rates(1,000/acre)? No as more recent studies indicate better results with 2.5 to 3 times the old 1000 number.


4. Will they feed on the FHM and reduce their numbers before I stock the LMB and HSB next year?
A small amount but that is ok as the FH are starter food which will be more than replaced by the extra BG hatch. Supp feeding the BG will help a lot as well