Evaluation of Supplemental Pellet Feeding and Threadfin Shad Addition on Stable Isotope Signature and Potential Influence on Fish Growth in Recreational Fishing Ponds
SEAFWA Journal Volume 6, March 2019
Pond enhancements such as adding pelleted feed or stocking threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) are sometimes used in the management of pond fisheries, but their relative impacts on growth and reproduction at multiple levels of the food web are not often fully evaluated. We used stable isotope analysis to indicate the contribution of pelleted feed to bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) reproduction and growth, and ultimately to largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) growth in the presence and absence of threadfin shad via two different approaches: a pond experiment and sampling of established...