A question

[gozzer]

I've asked this question on a couple of threads, but so far no answer. I thought I'd ask it on a thread of it's own and see if the results are any better.

 

It concerns my favourite subject, 'the stocking of species new to a water'. It seems that there are those that see no problem with this, so I would aim the question mainly at them.

 

I think it's accepted that a water can only provide a finite amount of food naturally, (with seasonal variations). I think it's also accepted that a finite amount of food can only sustain a finite mass of fish. It's a simplistic way of looking at it I know, but the question is.

 

Which of the resident species would you be prepared, (or pleased), to have diminish in numbers, or be eradication, by the influx of the new species?

 

John.

[Ken L]

Well I think we can say that the question isn't aimed at me as I'm not a great fan of introductions but I supose:

* It depends on the species being intruduced.

* If I'm asked to see "Resident" species take the brunt of a new introduction, I guess it'd have to be barbel. carp or zander - depending on the nature of the intruduction and the venue.

* If I'm asked to see "native" species take the brunt of a new introduction, It'd have to be bream - slimy, fight like a carier bag and tie up a lot of biomass in bodies that are to big for our native predators.

 

I'll get me tin hat and cover up while the wrath of the bream fans rages above my head now......

[Worms]

Homo sapiens....preferably the ones involved in the introductions

[davedave]

If there were every species in a certain pond that you currently found in the UK and i had to get rid of one of the species, it would be F1s. I've never fished a place with them in or ever caught one but from what i read and hear they don't put up any fight and are relatively easy to catch. I don't like the sound of them, they've just been chucked in to boost match weights.

 

If it were 'traditional' species i'd probably have to go with eels. Although i respect the fact that they are very old, endangered and interesting, i absolutely hate catching them!

[bails]

I'm all for it, and also believe it should be advertised when waters are being stocked so that members / anglers have the opportunity of seeing what goes in.

[Dales]

Which of the resident species would you be prepared, (or pleased), to have diminish in numbers, or be eradication, by the influx of the new species?

 

John.

 

Thanks John, I like these sort of hypothetical sort of questions. I guess it would depend what the bew species would be. Ideally the new species would find a place in our ecosystem like the Zander have, but it would not be such an interesting question if we assumed that.

 

For me it would be whether the new species offered better sport and so was worth a sacrifice, I know that will not be popular and so it's good we have those who would try to stop such things happening.

 

If it was a simple like for like scenario then I would not like to see any one go as it would just seem pointless. So I would hate to see Roach go if it meant that we had Ide instead. But I would be happy to let Roach, Rudd, Dace and most of the small species go if we had more large predator species be that catfish or something else.

 

The main problem with such a swap would be the impact on other fish eating birds and animals etc. So maybe I would be more happy to see the Wels go and be replaced by some other large predator rather then give up some of the smaller species.

 

I would give up our "native" common carp in exchange for bigger carp such as Siamese Carp.

 

But the one species that would be easy to let go would be the Bream and as I don't fish for Roach I will throw them in the pot but only for something like Mahseer, Nile Perch, Red Tail Cats etc

[Phone]

anyone,

 

Before I reply, what's an "F1"? (davedave's post)

 

Phone

Edited August 29, 2011 by Phone

[Newt]

F1 - genetics term for first generation hybrid.

 

As used here I think it is the offspring of a specific crossbreeding but I'm not sure what two species are involved.

[MotherHen]

F1 - genetics term for first generation hybrid.

 

As used here I think it is the offspring of a specific crossbreeding but I'm not sure what two species are involved.

 

I believe it's a common carp hybridised with a crucian carp.

Edited August 29, 2011 by MotherHen

[Phone]

gozzer,

 

I like em' all (species). We have you at a disadvantage. We are still building lots of ponds and lakes (up to 100 acres can be considered a "pond" - after that you are building a lake). We have "Water Shed Districts" that are mandated by federal law to require ponds be built to prevent or minimize errosion(sp) or industrial runoff.

 

There are guys who know there chit really good (no, not "well", but "GOOD" - that's the way we talk). It is based on a miriad of factors as well you can imagine. Depending on the surface acres of water you "must" put in "XYZ" species of fish (always to include a few carp btw). The reason I mention this is that the "fundamentals" of WHY are well documented by universities, state, and federal "experts". If you would like I recommend the University of Kentucky as a starter. (A surface acre of pond or lake is the number of acres covered by one foot of water - or 1 ft of warter over 1 acre is a surface acre).

 

The problem is not that many or most fish can't or won't co-exist - - - it's that if you put in "X" number of - - - ohh say - - - pike and then go fish them out you have a problem with other species unrelated to the fish themselves. It is really an angler issue. Angler issues are "considered" when pond building. BTW, we still screw it up by illegally introducing what "we" think is "best".

 

To "pick" a species in the food chain and vertical water column is like "picking" a bird from the sky. It is impossible, you can't fool mother nature.

 

Phone