Effect of Stocking Rate on Growing Juvenile Sunshine Bass,Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis,in an Outdoor Biofloc Production System |
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| Authors: | Bartholomew W Green Steven D Rawles Carl D Webster Matthew E McEntire |
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| Institution: | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS)‐Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center, P.O. Box 1050, Stuttgart, Arkansas 72160 1050, USA |
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| Abstract: | The biofloc technology production system is a production‐intensifying management strategy used primarily for culturing tilapia and penaeid shrimp, both of which can consume the biofloc. Other fish can be grown in biofloc systems because the biofloc serves to maintain water quality, metabolizing the ammonia excreted by intensively fed fish. A dose–response study was conducted in an outdoor biofloc system to begin quantifying the stocking rate production function for sunshine bass, Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis, advanced fingerlings. Sunshine bass (2.9 ± 0.2 g/fish) were stocked into tanks at 50–250 fish/m2 in 50 fish/m2 increments. After 94 d, gross yields ranged from 1.4 to 3.1 kg/m3 and were independent of stocking rate. Harvested fish were separated into two size groups: smaller than 115 mm total length (TL, target fish) and larger than 115 mm TL (jumper fish). Target fish increased linearly from 62 to 93% and jumpers decreased linearly from 38 to 7% of the population, respectively, as stocking rate increased. The outdoor biofloc system offers potential for intensifying the production of advanced sunshine bass fingerlings, but feed consumption appeared to be impeded by high total suspended solids concentrations. Further research is needed to optimize stocking rates and solids management. |
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| Keywords: | advanced fingerlings biofloc technology production system hybrid striped bass sunshine bass |
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