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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332667
Research Project: Developing Nutritional, Genetic, and Management Strategies to Enhance Warmwater Finfish Production

Location: Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr

Title: Production of hybrid striped bass stockers in a biofloc system

Author
item Green, Bartholomew - Bart
item Rawles, Steven - Steve
item McEntire, Matthew - Matt

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2016
Publication Date: 2/19/2017
Citation: Green, B.W., Rawles, S.D., McEntire, M.E. 2017. Production of hybrid striped bass stockers in a biofloc system [abstract]. Book of Abstracts, Aquaculture America 2017, February 19-22, 2017, San Antonio, Texas. p. 158.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: High yields can be obtained from an outdoor biofloc technology (BFT) production system in response to high stocking and feeding rates because a complex of living organisms, including phytoplankton and bacteria, closely associated with particulate organic matter that is maintained in suspension in the water column by continuous aeration metabolizes nitrogenous waste excreted by the intensively fed fish. Currently, Published research demonstrates that hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis; HSB) can be reared intensively in recirculating aquaculture systems and in-pond raceways, but HSB have not been grown in a BFT production system. We report for the first time on the production of HSB advanced (or stocker-sized) fingerlings in an outdoor BFT production system. Study objectives were to quantify the relationship between HSB stocking rate and growth, yield, and water quality. Fingerling (1.2 g/fish) HSB were stocked at 50 – 250 fish/m2 in 50-fish/m2 increments in continuously aerated 2.4-m diameter HDPE-lined tanks in late June and grown for 105 days. Each tank was equipped with a 76-L settling chamber to remove solids. Water was added to tanks only to replace losses to evaporation and settling chamber draining. Fish in each tank were fed a formulated ration (45% protein, 12% lipid) to apparent satiation twice daily. Water samples were analyzed weekly for dissolved inorganic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, solids concentrations, and algal biomass. Fish production and water quality relationships will be discussed.