ARS | Publication request: Assessment of Zooplankton Size Fractionation for Monitoring Fry and Fingerling Culture Ponds

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2001
Publication Date: April 1, 2001
Citation: Mischke, C.C., Zimba, P.V. 2001. Assessment of Zooplankton Size Fractionation for Monitoring Fry and Fingerling Culture Ponds. North American Journal of Aquaculture.

Interpretive Summary: Catfish fry require zooplankton prey for survival and growth. This study assessed if rapid size fractionation methods yielded good separation of zooplankton. While there was size overlap the size fractionation method was more accurate than visual assessment of zooplankton present in water samples.

Technical Abstract: Methodology was formulated for use in the rapid assessment of zooplankton in channel catfish ponds. Understanding zooplankton prey size is useful for effective pond management. Size fractionation using differential sieve sizes was an effective means of separating size classes in live material, whereas preserved samples were not effectively separated. This method is more accurate than visual examination.