Author
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Ludwig, Gerald |
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Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Book Series
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2003 Publication Date: 12/15/2005 Citation: Ludwig, G.M. 2005. White Sucker Culture. In: Kelly, A.M., Siverstein, J., editors. Aquaculture in the 21st Century. American Fisheries Society Book Series 46. Bethesda, MD. p.591-606. Interpretive Summary: The range of White suckers, Catostomus commersoni, extends from the Arctic Ocean to the northern parts of the Gulf states. These fish have been used throughout much of its range as a baitfish for a wide variety of sport fish, including panfish, bass, walleye, and musky. Most of the time the suckers were seined or trapped from streams. Shortages of wild suckers during the 1930's resulted in state conservation departments catching adult suckers during their early spring spawning runs. The mature adults were stripped of their gametes at the side of the stream. The eggs and milt were mixed and the fertilized eggs distributed to all who wished to culture the baitfish. The eggs were held in jars that had upwelling freshwater until they hatched. Several days later the fry swam to the surface and filled their air bladders. They then were stocked into ponds and raised until they reach desired sizes. Commercial culture has not changed much since the 1930's except that brood stock is sometimes kept in ponds and spawning may be facilitated by hormone injections. This chapter covers the history of white sucker use as a baitfish, the fishes life history, geographical range, the wide range of environmental factors it can withstand and other factors that make it a good choice for culture. Technical Abstract: The range of White suckers, Catostomus commersoni, extends from the Arctic Ocean to the northern parts of the Gulf states. These fish have been used throughout much of its range as a baitfish for a wide variety of sport fish, including panfish, bass, walleye, and musky. Most of the time the suckers were seined or trapped from streams. Shortages of wild suckers during the 1930's resulted in state conservation departments catching adult suckers during their early spring spawning runs. The mature adults were stripped of their gametes at the side of the stream. The eggs and milt were mixed and the fertilized eggs distributed to all who wished to culture the baitfish. The eggs were held in jars that had upwelling freshwater until they hatched. Several days later the fry swam to the surface and filled their air bladders. They then were stocked into ponds and raised until they reach desired sizes. Commercial culture has not changed much since the 1930's except that brood stock is sometimes kept in ponds and spawning may be facilitated by hormone injections. This chapter covers the history of white sucker use as a baitfish, the fishes life history, geographical range, the wide range of environmental factors it can withstand and other factors that make it a good choice for culture. |
