Maximum yield approximation and size distribution patterns of stocker size largemouth bass,Micropterus salmoides reared in a semi‐closed indoor system |
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| Authors: | Jeonghwan Park Nilima Renukdas Trevor Luna Luke A Roy |
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| Institution: | Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR, USA |
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| Abstract: | The main objectives of this study were to approximate the maximum yield and evaluate size dispersion of stocker size largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides reared in a semi‐closed recirculating system for 60 days. Fingerlings with an average body weight of 36.7 g were utilized for the study. An experimental system consisting of 18 square plastic tanks (165 L) equipped with a radial flow settler, a sump, a moving bed filter, a centrifugal pump, a rapid sand filter, a down‐flow oxygen saturator and a UV sterilizer was utilized for the trial. The system was operated semi‐closed, accounting for a daily exchange rate of 30–50% of total system water volume. Experimental stocking densities were 4.5, 9.1, 18.8, 36.5, 54.6 and 73 kg m?3 with three replicates per treatment. At the end of the experimental trial, largemouth bass showed acceptable feed conversion (1.00–1.48), specific growth rate (1.16–1.45% day?1) and survival rate (81.8–96.6%) in all treatments, displaying the highest performance at an initial stocking density range of 18–36 kg m?3. Based on a piecewise regression model with breakpoint analysis, maximum yield of largemouth bass fingerlings should not exceed 70 kg m?3. As stocking density increased, relatively more underweight fingerlings were produced with a higher uniformity of fatness. |
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| Keywords: | largemouth bass stocker semi‐recirculating systems overwintering size dispersion |
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