Split Ponds Effectively Overwinter Golden Shiners

Abstract

Baitfish producers have expressed interest in adopting the split-pond production system. However, confining fish to 20% of the pond area in split-pond systems effectively quintuples fish density within the culture unit as compared with densities in open ponds. Winter conditions are known to be relatively more stressful on smaller fish, and high densities within split-pond culture units could increase losses. A 139-d study was conducted during the winter to compare the production of golden shiners, Notemigonus crysoleucas, in traditional earthen ponds and split ponds at two densities. Golden shiners were stocked at 646 kg/ha or 1292 kg/ha (ca. 370,500 or 741,000 fish/ha, respectively) into 12, 0.04-ha, netted earthen ponds (six split ponds and six traditional). Feeding rate, nightly aeration hours, and daily circulation hours were reduced when water temperature decreased. At harvest, net yields were significantly lower in the split ponds as compared with traditional ponds at each density (53 and 113 kg/ha less in the lowand high-density split-pond treatments, respectively). Estimated survival was high (>87%) and did not differ among treatments. Results showed that, although net yield was reduced, small baitfish could be successfully overwintered in split-pond culture units in preparation for the spring crappie market. KEYWORDS baitfish, golden shiner, pond aquaculture, split pond, winter

Factors Driving Aquaculture Technology Adoption

“…Adoption of several designs of water circulators in catfish split‐pond systems (Kumar et al ) is an example in which farmers modified the water circulators in the original research design with less‐expensive paddlewheels or with different types of water pumps to suit their farming and cost objectives. Additionally, commercial modifications of the split‐pond systems have been currently adopted in baitfish and largemouth bass industries (Park et al ; Smith and Stone ) to serve purposes other than yield increase, such as achieving better‐conditioned and uniform‐sized fish.…”

Evaluating zooplankton in traditional and split‐pond systems for raising golden shiners, Notemigonus crysoleucas

“…In the present study, golden shiner net yield was not significantly different between the treatment groups despite the consistent and heavy depredation in the ponds. A previous study carried out in the same experimental ponds, by Smith and Stone (2017) during the winter of 2013–2014, showed production was significantly lower in SPS compared to TEP even when survival was nearly 100% in all the ponds. During that study, the ponds were protected by nets restricting birds from the ponds and in the winter months water snakes undergoing brumation were also not a threat to fish depredation.…”

“…The FTU was equipped with 0.37 kW vertical pump aerator. Additional details on the SPS can be found in Smith and Stone (2017).…”

Evaluation of alternative pond production systems for raising largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides

“…Split ponds allow for even more control of the production system by reducing the volume of water in which fish are produced to increase feeding efficiency, allowing for easier treatment of disease while facilitating harvest (Brown, Tucker, & Rutland, ; Tucker & Kingsbury, ). The baitfish industry has also explored the possibility of bait fish production (e.g., golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas ) in split ponds, albeit with less success to date than the catfish industry (Smith & Stone, ). The culture of LMB during second‐year growout has also been explored in recirculating systems and determined to not be as viable as production in ponds (Watts, Bright, Coyle, & Tidwell, ).…”