ARS | Publication request: STOCKING DENSITY EFFECTS ON PHASE 1 SUNSHINE BASS MORONE CHRYSOPS X M. SAXATILIS GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN TANK CULTURE

Submitted to: Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 25, 2005
Publication Date: February 6, 2006
Citation: Ludwig, G.M., Lochmann, S. 2006. Stocking density effects on phase 1 sunshine bass Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis growth and survival in tank culture [abstract]. Aquaculture America 2006 Book of Abstracts. p. 813.

Technical Abstract: Optimum stocking density of sunshine bass larvae in tanks is not known. This experiment attempted to determine the relationship among stocking density of sunshine bass larvae in tanks and growth and survival. Sunshine bass larvae, 4 days post hatch (dph), were stocked into blue, polyethylene tanks with 100 L of 8 ppt brackish water. Light intensity at the water surface was about 900 lumens. Larvae at 10 densities, ranging from 29 to 118 larvae/L were stocked into 10 tanks. Rotifers, cultured with Nannochloropsis and Culture Selco® 3000 were fed 4 times per day at 15 rotifers/ml until 12 dph. From 8-12 dph Artemia nauplii were fed 4 nauplii/ml once per day; every four days an additional feeding/day was added until at 22 dph 20 nauplii/ml/day were fed. Six grams of a 55% protein salmon starter meal was fed throughout the day with a belt feeder from 19 dph until 22 dph when the meal was increased to 8 grams/day. Fish were harvested at 26 dph and enumerated gravimetrically. About 30 fish from each tank were photographed and total length and other morphometrics determined. Survival averaged 35% and increased slightly with the stocking density. Total biomass of fish produced appeared unrelated to stocking rate, Mean individual weight decreased when percent survival, stocking density, and numbers of surviving fish increased. Weights of surviving fish averaged 0.12 grams.