Effect of density and mixed culture of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) on growth, survival and feed conversion rate in intensive culture

Abstract

In this study, two experiments were performed with the aim to optimize intensive aquaculture of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). In the first 140-day experiment the effect of the initial fish density was assessed at three levels: low density (LD) 23 kg/m<sup>3</sup>, medium density (MD) 35 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and high density (HD) 46 kg/m<sup>3</sup>. All three densities provided the same final Fulton’s condition coefficient (FC = 1.24–1.28), specific growth rate (SGR = 0.22–0.24%/day) and survival rate (97–100%). No cannibalism was observed at all tested densities. Feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.39 ± 0.21 g/g) was the lowest for LD and the highest (1.61 ± 0.08 g/g) for MD. The highest fish biomass (25.7 ± 2.7 kg/m<sup>3</sup>) was obtained at HD and this density was considered as the most effective density of all tested ones during the intensive culture of largemouth bass. The second 60-day experiment tested the effect of largemouth bass and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) monoculture and biculture of both species on production efficiency. Higher size heterogeneity was obtained in both (mono- and bicultural) groups of pikeperch (308.91–314.56‰/day) compared to the groups of largemouth bass (279.26–284.05 ‰/day). The higher FC (1.09) was found in both types of culture in largemouth bass compared to both methods of culture in pikeperch (0.74–0.78). The lowest SGR was evident in both types of largemouth bass cultures (1.20–1.28%/day). In contrast, the highest SGR was achieved in the bicultural pikeperch (1.88%/day). Similar results like for SGR were also assessed for FCR, where the highest value of FCR was in both cultures of largemouth bass (1.44–1.48 g/g) compared to the lowest FCR in the bicultural of pikeperch (0.73 g/g). Largemouth bass in both tested types of culture had higher survival rates (99.95–99.99%) compared to pikeperch (98.61–98.63%).

Live feed enrichments using microalgae for pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval culture

“…Dissolved oxygen was kept at over 75%. The concentration of total ammonia (TAN) and nitrite were monitored according to Pěnka et al (2021) every 3 days and were kept within the following range, respectively: TAN = 0.19 ± 0.05 NO 2 = 0.20 ± 0.01 mg L À1 . Daily cleaning and maintenance were done in order to keep clean conditions within the experimental tanks.…”

Effects of weaning time, light regime, and stocking density on growth, condition, survival, and cannibalism rates in northern pike (Esox lucius L.) larvae and early juveniles under intensive culture

“…The pH values were determined using a WTW 3310 pH (WTW GmbH, Weilheim, Germany) meter daily at 8:00 a.m. by submerging it in the biological filter of the RAS system. Total ammonia and nitrite concentrations were measured using a colorimetric reference kit according to Peňka et al (2021) once daily. The average water quality parameters for the three experiments are summarized in Table 1.…”

Effects of Stocking Density and Pre-Slaughter Handling on the Fillet Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides): Implications for Fish Welfare

“…The fish were acclimated to the recirculating aquaculture system conditions for four weeks and fed on a commercial feed (Europa 15, 2-3 mm size pellets, Skretting) according to [16]. Also, the optimal environmental conditions described by [3] were applied. The water temperature during the experiment was 25.5 ± 0.8 • C. The experimental fish (TL 235 ± 21.7 mm and BW 163 ± 55.4 g) were reared in the same RAS under three different constant densities (D) of 35 (D35), 50 (D50), and 65 (D65) kg•m −3 , presenting three experimental groups.…”

“…Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is one of the fish species well-suited for aquaculture production [1]. Due to its exceptional fillet quality, willingness to consume commercial feed, and rapid growth rate, it is a good fit for intensive aquaculture [2,3].…”