The two things that actually keep fish alive in a livewell are oxygen exchange (how fast your pump cycles fresh water through) and stocking density (how much fish you're asking that water to support). Most factory pumps are sized for moderate conditions — push past that on a hot tournament day with a full limit and you'll find the limit the hard way.
Livewell Aeration
Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen and a packed livewell eats through it fast. Check your pump against your load before your catch tells you it wasn't enough.
GPH · TURNOVER · LOAD
Livewell & Load
Aeration Check
2.3
minutes per full turnover
Recommended pump flow240–360 GPH
Safe fish density right now0.40 lb/gal
Density and water temp both look fine for this load.
Rule of thumb: turn the full volume over every 3–5 minutes in warm water (75°F+), and keep stocking density under roughly 1 lb of fish per 2–3 gallons — tighter than that in hot water, looser in cold water where oxygen holds better.