Author
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Ludwig, Gerald |
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Submitted to: Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2004 Publication Date: 9/18/2004 Citation: Ludwig, G.M. 2004. Sunshine bass fingerling culture in tanks [abstract]. Book of Abstracts, Aquaculture America. p. 251. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Year-round production is a top priority of hybrid striped bass producers. Presently most Morone culturists produce sunshine bass that have very tiny fry that require rotifers as their first food. Almost 100% of the fingerlings are produced in ponds where high survival rates depend on fry being stocked at the right time. Pond culture has a variety of drawbacks including the inability to monitor survival and seasonal limitations due to hot or cold weather. Tank culture of fingerlings overcomes many problems and is necessary for year-round production is to happen. Little tank production has occurred because of the costs involved are more than the cost of buying pond raised fingerlings. A major expense of tank culture is the culture of live food. Sunshine bass fry require cultured rotifers and rotifers require microalgae. After rotifers, the fry receive cultured Artemia nauplii. Each culture is risky, and requires time, space and expertise to happen. Recently innovations may alleviate part of this. Commercial rotifer operations are developing. High density (up to 16,000 /ml) rotifer culture methods are being researched. High density systems require constant feeding, oxygen, pH and ammonia control, suspended particle control and proper harvesting. Algae pastes can replace algae culture requirements. These pastes can be combined or augmented with enrichment materials in the culture thus reducing culture stages. Ammonia problems can be controlled with products like Chloram-X' and pH controllers. That also reduces water and live feed use during the first few days of culture. Water use is also reduced by recirculation for rotifers and for fry. Sunshine bass larvae are stocked at 4-5 days post hatch (dph) and are fed enriched rotifers. Within a few days sunshine bass fry are weaned from rotifers to Artemia nauplii. Use of commercially available decapsulated eggs reduces time and risk. Palmetto bass and Striped bass culture starts with Artemia nauplii. By about 15 dph, weaning to a microparticulate diet begins and is completed by 26 dph. Fry should be graded at this time to reduce cannibalism. Increased demand for fingerlings during the winter and reduced culture costs will increase sunshine bass tank fingerling production. |
