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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #244035
Title: Harvesting and Processing Zooplankton for Use as Supplemental Fry Feed

Author
item MISCHKE, C - Mississippi State University
item WISE, D - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2008
Publication Date: 1/1/2009
Citation: Mischke, C.C., Wise, D.J. 2009. Harvesting and Processing Zooplankton for Use as Supplemental Fry Feed. North American Journal of Aquaculture.70:396-398.

Interpretive Summary: We present the methods that we used to capture and dry large zooplankton from ponds to feed to channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fry. Using a submersible pump and canister filter, we were able to capture about 1.0 kg (wet weight; 200 g in terms of dry weight) of zooplankton from well-fertilized ponds over 24-h trapping periods. This was a practical method for obtaining the large zooplankton that catfish fry prefer. Fish culturists may be able to use this method to harvest zooplankton throughout the year and store dried zooplankton for the hatchery season. The drying process may also be useful for processing and storing small zooplankton for the culture of other species of fish. The cost was about US$200 for the submersible pump, $200 for the canister and filter, and $40 for the food dehydrator.

Technical Abstract: We present the methods that we used to capture and dry large zooplankton from ponds to feed to channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fry. Using a submersible pump and canister filter, we were able to capture about 1.0 kg (wet weight; 200 g in terms of dry weight) of zooplankton from well-fertilized ponds over 24-h trapping periods. This was a practical method for obtaining the large zooplankton that catfish fry prefer. Fish culturists may be able to use this method to harvest zooplankton throughout the year and store dried zooplankton for the hatchery season. The drying process may also be useful for processing and storing small zooplankton for the culture of other species of fish. The cost was about US$200 for the submersible pump, $200 for the canister and filter, and $40 for the food dehydrator.