What to Feed My Pond Fish to Make Them Grow Bigger
- Most ponds are fed by runoff from rainwater on adjoining land. The condition of the land and what is placed upon it has much to do with the water quality of the pond. Pastures and fields that contain livestock may overfertilize a pond, causing heavy algae growth. While the algae growth itself is not detrimental, the die-off of vegetation can cause oxygen deprivation to the fish. Animals that are allowed direct access to the pond can also cause high fertilization levels. The fishpond, intend for food production, should be fenced off from all livestock. A perimeter area should be maintained. This will allow grasses to grow that will absorb the nutrients and aid in filtering silt from entering the pond. Mechanical aeration of the pond water will keep sufficient oxygen levels up in the pond. The greater the oxygen content, the better the fish will grow and the higher the quality of the flesh.
- Old metal barrels or wooden structures can be placed in the pond water to provide cover for smaller fish. While these smaller fish provide feed for larger predators such as bass and catfish, a healthy balance must be maintained. Without this balance the smaller fish will soon be eliminated and the food source for the larger fish is gone also. At times a pond may contain too many fish to be balanced. Removing the larger fish to an adequate number for the pond's size will increase the overall fish size and weight (see Resources).
- Many feed stores now supply the home fish grower with complete fish rations. These rations come in a pellet form and will float on the surface of the water. The feed pellets can be customized for particular species of fish. Different fish species will require various protein and mineral supplements for reaching optimum growth. Your local agricultural extension service can provide you with this information for your part of the country. Use caution when first beginning to feed fish in this manner. Only feed what the fish will immediately clean from the surface of the water. Eventually the uneaten feed will sink to the bottom of the pond. Then the unused feed will decompose and cause oxygen deprivation. You can also customize your own fish feed by mixing different grains and meat by-products together for various protein and mineral contents (see Resources). Many times the bulk items can be purchased much cheaper than the manufactured pellets.