ARS | Publication request: Growth and survival in tank culture: Stocking density effects on phase one sunshine bass

Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2006
Publication Date: September 14, 2006
Citation: Ludwig, G.M., Lochmann, S.E. 2006. Growth and survival in tank culture: Stocking density effects on phase one sunshine bass. American Fisheries Society 136th Annual Meeting, September 10-14, 2006, Lake Placid, NY. 2006 CDROM No.69.

Technical Abstract: In order to be cost effective, conditions of tank culture must be optimized. This experiment attempted to determine the relationship among stocking densities 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 9 densities, ranging from 29 to 118 larvae per L were stocked into 10 tanks. Rotifers, cultured with Nannochloropsis and Culture Selco 300 were fed 4 times per day at 15 rotifers per ml until 12 dph. From 8 to 12 dph Artemia nauplii were fed 4 nauuplii per m greater than per day were fed. Six grams of a 55 percent 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 per 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. Optimum stocking density for maximum biomass production occurred between 80 and 90 larvae per L.