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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #170431
Title: Plankton: Nutrient Dynamics in Channel Catfish Fry and Prawn Growout Ponds

Author
item Zimba, Paul
item MISCHKE, C - MISS. STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: World Aquaculture Magazine
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2005
Publication Date: 6/1/2006
Citation: Zimba, P.V., Mischke, C.C. 2006. Plankton: Nutrient Dynamics in Channel Catfish Fry and Prawn Growout Ponds. World Aquaculture Magazine. 37:28-31.

Interpretive Summary: Plankton analyses of bacteria, algae, and zooplankton were made from prawn and channel catfish ponds. Bacterial densities were similar to levels in freshwater eutrophic lakes. Dissolved nutrient concentrations in these systems were similar, suggesting nutrient recycling occurred rapidly.

Technical Abstract: Bacterial dynamics in earthen aquaculture ponds are poorly understood. Channel catfish fry and prawn grow-out ponds were sampled weekly to assess the pond ecology of these systems using water column nutrients, algal biomass (lipophilic and water soluble pigments), bacteria (acridine orange direct counts), and zooplankton abundance. No significant differences in nutrient concentrations were detected between catfish and prawn ponds. Green algae and ostracods were more abundant in catfish fry ponds. Bacterial cell densities did not differ between pond types and averaged 2.551E6 cells/mL. Bacteria attached to cyanobacteria accounted for nearly 20% numerically of all bacteria present and was not different between prawn and catfish ponds.