The diet of hybrid red tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) reared in the freshwater ponds of north-eastern Brazil

To assess potential competition for food with indigenous species prior to their release into reservoirs in north-eastern Brazil, the diet of hybrid red tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus O. mossambicus, maintained without supplementary feed in monocultures in freshwater ponds, was studied. The stomach contents of 160 fish (140–220 mm total length), collected monthly from February to September 1993, were analysed. Fish of all size categories were found to be phytoplanktivores. A total of 40 microalgal species were observed in the stomach contents (17 species of Chlorophyceae, 11 species of Bacillariophyceae, eight species of Cyanophyceae, three species of Chrysophyceae and one of Euglenophyceae), together with a few rotifers and some organic material. In terms of cell numbers, the overall composition of the diet was 70% Chlorophyceae, 21% Bacillariophyceae, 3% Chrysophyceae, 2% Cyanophyceae, 1% Euglenophyceae and 3% organic matter. Neither diet composition nor stomach fullness varied with fish size. However, fish had relatively fuller stomachs, with higher proportions of Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae, during the rainy season. Hybrid red tilapia appear unlikely to compete for food with a native species and so may have a role in aquaculture or for deliberate release into reservoirs in north-eastern Brazil.     

Natural food intake by juvenile Arapaima gigas during the grow‐out phase in earthen ponds

In carnivorous fish species, zooplankton is one of the main food items in the early life stages and some fish species continue feeding on such food items further along the life stages even in the farming environment. In this study, the intake of natural food items was assessed in juvenile pirarucu Arapaima gigas reared in earthen ponds. Juvenile pirarucu (12.2 ± 4.32 g and 12.1 ± 1.13 cm) were stocked in fertilized earthen ponds (240 m²). For the analysis of the fish stomach content and plankton in the pond water, the fish and pond water were sampled weekly for 75 days and biweekly until the fish reached a mean weight of 750 g. Although artificial feed was used, pirarucu also ingested the natural food available in the pond water. Among the zooplankton, pirarucu demonstrated feeding preference for cladocerans despite the abundance of rotifers and copepods. Cladocerans were present in more than 80% of the stomach contents of fish up to 300 g and in 65%, 45% and 17% of fish of 301–500 g, 501–700 g and 701–900 g respectively. Copepods were present only in fish up to 500 g at low abundance. High ingestion of insects and plant material was observed in the stomach content of fish of all size classes. The results demonstrate that juvenile pirarucu ingest natural food available in the farming pond and suggests that the adoption of pond fertilization practices may have positive effects on fish growth performance.     

Unravelling the diversity and assemblage of phytoplankton in homestead ponds of central coastal belt,Bangladesh

Homestead ponds may offer an ideal opportunity in contribution to household income, fish consumption through fish culture. Phytoplankton plays a key indicator in pond productivity. However, the phytoplankton communities in the homestead ponds are nearly undetermined in Bangladesh. This study summarizes the phytoplankton diversity, assemblage and ecological parameters of the homestead ponds in central coastal belt, Bangladesh, based on two seasons. The results revealed that significant differences (p < .05) were found in pH, DO, conductivity, TDS, nitrates, phosphates and sulphates except temperature in monsoon, and transparency in both seasons. A total of 34 phytoplankton genera representatives of five major groups were recorded such as Euglenophyceae (41.5%), Chlorophyceae (30.5%), Cyanophyceae (13%), Dinophyceae (10%) and Bacillariophyceae (5%). A significant difference (p < .05) in phytoplankton abundance was found in both seasons with the highest mean of 186.13 ± 129.34 × 10⁴ cells L^?1 in monsoon and the lowest mean of 144.40 ± 107.26 × 10⁴ cells L^?1 during winter. The diversity (H'), evenness (J'), richness (d) and dominance (D) ranged from 1.62 to 2.47, 0.52 to 0.97, 0.37 to 1.15 and 0.10 to 0.28 respectively. Based on SIMPER, the most dominant (>10%) genera for dissimilation within stations and seasons were Euglena spp., Phacus spp., Chlorella spp., Strombomonas spp. and Peridinium spp. ANOSIM results stated that 12 genera of phytoplankton were significant contributors based on average dissimilarity. Pearson's correlation coefficient and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that phytoplankton abundance, diversity and community were mainly governed by transparency, dissolved oxygen and nitrates.     

Increased Growth and Production of Striped Bass × White Bass Hybrids in Earthen Ponds

Four 0.1 hectare earthen ponds were stocked with 16,500 hybrid striped bass (female Morone saxatilis × male M. chrysops ) per hectare on 22 June 1982. Mean weight at stocking was 5.2 g ± 0.10 SE. Fish were fed to satiation two or three times daily with a dry commercial salmonid diet, and the ponds were aerated mechanically during periods of low dissolved oxygen during warm weather. Survival at harvest on 6 March 1983 averaged 84.7%, and mean weight of the fish was 170.2 g ± 2.66 SE. Average weights of fish from individual ponds ranged from 149.0 to 189.7 g. The ponds were restocked on 1 April 1983 with 10,000 fish per hectare averaging 193.6 g. Ten months later, average survival in 3 ponds was 83.9% (range, 81.3–87.0%) and mean weight was 656.3 g ± 5.51 SE. Average weights of fish from individual ponds ranged from 632.5 to 690.7 g. All fish in one pond died in June as a result of an aerator failure. Standing crop at harvest in the three remaining ponds averaged 5, 504 kg/ha (range, 5,247–5,765 kg/ha). Improvements in culture techniques resulted in approximately a 138% increase in production per hectare over that reported in a prior study. Results demonstrated that hybrid striped bass offer considerable potential for commercial aquaculture in warm temperate latitudes of the United States.     

Growth and Food Habits of Cage-Cultured Bighead Carp x Silver Carp Hybrids in Ponds of Varying Trophic Status

Four 20m³ cages stocked with 120 bighead carp x silver carp hybrids per cage were placed in each of four ponds varying in trophic status from mesotrophic to hypereutophic. Fish were cultured, without feeding, from 13 March to 1 Octorber 1987. Fish in the mesotrophic pond survived but lost weight (-0.37 g/fish/d). The mesotrophic pond produced insufficient food to sustain fish growth. Maximum fish growth rate occured in the two eutotrophic ponds (6.61vand 7/04 g/fish/d). Fish growth in the hypereutrophic pond was about one-half (3.64 g/fish/d) that in the two eutrophic ponds. Guy analysis of fish in the hypereutrophic pond revealed consumption of larger quantities (P < 0.05) of colonial blue-green algae that were apparently poorly digested and less (P < 0.05) zooplankton (primarily cladocerans) than was found in fish from the eutrophic ponds.     

Effects of introducing ducks into fish ponds on water quality, natural productivity and fish production together with the economic evaluation of the integrated and non-integrated systems

Raising ducks on fish ponds (fish-duck culture) on a commercial scale is a new practice in Egypt, therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate this practice from production, carcass composition and economic viewpoints.Five earthern ponds were used in the non-integrated system (no ducks) whereas four earthen ponds, in which each pond was supplied with 125 Pecking ducks per 0.42 ha, were used for the Integrated system. In both systems, each pond was stocked with four species of fish (common carp Cyprinus carpio, silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Grey mullet Mugil cephalus and tilapias Oreochromis niloticusand O. aureus) at the same densities.There were no differences in temperature or pH in any of the ponds but dissolved oxygen levels were lower in integrated ponds concomitant with increasing levels of ammonia, phosphate and nitrate. Water in integrated ponds was richer in natural productivity (phytoplankton and zooplankton) either in species or density when compared with those variables in non-integrated ponds.Fish species reared in integrated ponds exhibited better body weight, food conversion and protein efficiency ratios compared with those of fish species in the non-integrated ponds. Fish yield per 0.42 ha produced from the integrated ponds was significantly higher than that obtained from non-integrated ones. Also, body composition of fish species was affected by the type of farming. Carcass crude protein of grey mullet, silver carp and tilapia was improved in the integrated system. The data on return on sales, return on costs, return on equity, pay-back period and break-even point showed that the integrated system was more profitable than the non-integrated system.     

Limnological Factors Influencing Growth of Cage-Cultured Bighead Carp ♀ x Silver Carp ♂ Hybrids

Four 2-m³ cages each stocked with 120 bighead carp ♀ X silver carp ♂ hybrids were placed in each of four ponds varying in trophic status from mesotrophic to hypereutrophic. Fish were cultured, without feeding, from 13 March to 1 October, 1987. All fish survived but lost weight (-0.37 g/fish/day) in the mesotrophic pond. Maximum fish growth rate occured in the two eutrophic ponds (6.61 and 7.04 g/fish/day). Fish growth in the hypereutrophic pond was about one-half (3.64 g/fish/day) that in the two eutrophic ponds until a sudden thermal destratification and dissolved oxygen depletion killed all the fish. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that gross phytoplankton primary productivity accounted for 68% of the variation in fish weight gain (R² = 0.68; P < 0.0001) in all ponds. When eliminating primary productivity data from the statistical model, number of algal taxa comprising phytoplankton communities explained 49% of the variation in fish growth (R² = 0.49; P < 0.0001). Conditions of hypereutrophy believed to be detrimental to fish growth were: a decline in cladoceran density; a preponderance of blue-green algae, especially colonial forms with mucilaginous sheaths; a shift from numerous, relatively small plankton algal taxa to fewer but larger forms; degraded water quality.     

Production Characteristics of Pond-Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctutus Fed Diets With and Without Animal Protein for Three Growing Seasons1

An experiment was conducted to determlne the long-term effects of an all-plant-protein diet on production characteristics (harvest yield, dressing percentage, and body composition) of catfish Ictalurus punctatus taken from top-harvested, multiple-stocked ponds over a 2.5-yr period of continuous production. Fish in eight 0.08-ha ponds were fed an extruded, 32% protein control diet (CON) containing animal and plant proteins, while fish in eight replicate ponds were fed an isonitrogenous diet containing only plant proteins, primarily from cottonseed meal and soybean meal (APP). Diets were fed once dally to apparent satiation during the growing season. Ponds were top-harvested twice per year in the spring and fall and partially restocked after each harvest. CON-fed fish received 13,335 kg of feed during the 2.5-yr period. APP-fed fish received 13,506 kg of feed. Total yields were 5,562 kg of CON-fed fish and 5,840 kg of APP-fed fish; average annual yields were 3,477 kgha per yr and 3,650 kgha per yr, respectively (P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratios, 2.5 for CON-fed fish and 2.6 for APP-fed Ash, did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Live weights at harvest averaged 529 g (CON) and 481 g (APP), and were not significantly different. Dressing percentages were 59% for fish fed both diets (P > 0.05). APP-fed fish had less (P < 0.05) visceral fat and less (P < 0.05) muscle lipid than CON-fed fish. Results indicate that a lysine supplemented, all-plant-protein diet containing 40% cottonseed meal and 20% soybean meal is suitable for long-term production of channel catfish in earthen ponds and such a diet can reduce the fat content of pond-reared fish.     

The Effect of Varying Biomass of Carryover Fish in Multiple‐batch Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Pond Production

The presence of carryover (fish >350 g stocked the previous year but not yet market size) channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in multiple‐batch production ponds has been shown to affect overall production performance and costs. However, little attention has been paid to effects of varying biomasses of carryover fish in ponds. Twelve 0.1‐ha earthen ponds were stocked March 20, 2007, with 15,000 catfish fingerlings per ha (mean weight 31 g), and carryover fish at either 726, 1460, or 2187 kg/ha (mean weight 408 g, range 204–703 g) to compare the effect of three different biomasses of carryover catfish on the production performance of understocked fingerlings. Gross and net yields increased with increasing biomass of carryover fish. Growth and mean weight at harvest of fingerlings were significantly greater at the lowest biomass of carryover fish (<1460 kg/ha), but there was no difference between the medium and high carryover density treatments. Net returns were highest with the highest biomass of carryover fish, but fell by $688/ha in Year 2 because of slower growth of fingerlings in Year 1.     

Food habits and growth of silver and bighead carp in cages and ponds

Analysis of intestinal contents of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) showed that silver carp consumed primarily phytoplankton while bighead carp consumed large quantities of zooplankton and detritus in addition to phytoplankton. The size of particles filtered by the bighead carp was larger (17–3,000 μm) than that filtered by silver carp (8–100 μm). Artificial feed was readily consumed by bighead carp but not by silver carp. No growth difference was indicated for silver carp in fertilized ponds and ponds receiving artificial feed. Growth of bighead carp increased substantially with the addition of artificial feed. Silver carp grew more rapidly in cages than bighead carp.     

Threadfin shad impacts phytoplankton and zooplankton community structures in channel catfish ponds

Plankton community structure and chlorophyll a concentration were compared in twelve 0.1 ha earthen ponds co‐stocked with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818) in a multiple‐batch culture (initial biomass=5458 kg ha^?1) and a planktivore, threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense Güther, 1867; initial biomass=449 kg ha^?1), during the April–November growing season. We used a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to test the planktivore level (presence or absence of threadfin shad) and channel catfish feeding frequency (daily or every third day). Channel catfish were fed a 32% protein feed to apparent satiation on days fed. The presence of threadfin shad affected phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure more than did feeding frequency, and the impact in ponds was more pronounced after 1 July. The numbers of all major groups of zooplankton were lower in ponds with threadfin shad, but were unaffected by the feeding frequency. Chlorophyll a concentration before 1 July was higher in ponds with threadfin shad and unaffected by the feeding frequency, whereas after 1 July it was higher in ponds without threadfin shad and that were fed daily. Phytoplankton community structure after 1 July was dominated by nuisance algal bloom genera of cyanobacteria in ponds without threadfin shad and by Bacillariophyceae in ponds with threadfin shad.     

Comparative water quality and channel catfish production in earthen ponds and a biofloc technology production system

This 210-day study compared variation in water quality and fish growth for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus; 47 g/fish) stocked in earthen ponds (1.5 fish/m², 14,820/ha) and in a biofloc technology (BFT) production system with high-density polyethylene-lined rectangular tanks (12.6 fish/m², 126,000/ha). Feed input and culture environment affected water-quality dynamics. In ponds, phytoplankton uptake predominated and little nitrification occurred, whereas in the BFT system phytoplankton uptake and nitrification maintained low ammonia-nitrogen concentrations. Size classes of fish were skewed toward the larger market sizes in ponds and toward smaller market sizes in the BFT system. Mean final fish weight was 630 g/fish in ponds and 542 g/fish in the BFT system. Despite these differences, fish yield was higher in the BFT system (7.7 kg/m³ v. 1.5 kg/m³) because of the greater initial stocking rate.     

Growth, Survival and Feed Conversion Rates of Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Cultured in Earthen Brackish Water Ponds Fed Different Feed Types

Sparus aurata were cultured during an 8-month period in brackish water (salinity about 25 ppt) in an extensive culture system comprising eight earthen ponds, each with a water surface of 2.1 ha. Initial mean wet weight of fish in all ponds varied from 13.6 ± 1.9 to 19.2 ± 2.6 g/fish. The eight ponds were randomly allocated one of four experimental treatments (two ponds/treatment). In the first treatment, ponds were fertilized monthly with 100 kg urea and 50 kg triple super phosphate. The other treatments (2–4) were fed a locally produced tilapia pellet feed containing 25% crude protein made using different processes. Fish in the second treatment were fed tilapia feed pelleted by compressing machine, whereas in treatments 3 and 4 the pellets were produced by extruder machine (Wenger). Pellets in treatment 3 were floating and in the fourth were semi-sinking. Fish were fed pellets twice daily at 6% of their biomass. The mean final body weight for each treatment respectively was 104.6, 118.9, 156.8 and 158 g. Specific growth rate (SGR) of 0.8, 0.79, 0.99 and 0.95%/day, were obtained in ponds using only inorganic fertilizer, compressed sinking pellets, extruded floating pellets and extruded semi-sinking pellets, respectively. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) for treatments with the extruded tilapia pellets were 2.2 and 2.6 g feed/g gain, which were significantly (P < 0.05) better than treatments with compressed pellets (3.2 g feed/g gain). Production/ha/year were 1389, 1358, 945 and 682 kg fish for the groups fed with extruded floating, extruded semi-sinking, compressed and natural food, respectively. Under the present experimental circumstances, Sparus aurata fed extruded floating tilapia pellets (25% crude protein and 2,600 kcal/g), showed the best productive performance.     

Effects of Feeding Rate on Habitat Quality in Fish Rearing Ponds

Manufactured feeds are commonly added to earthen ponds to enhance growth and survival of juvenile fish. However, excessive feeding may decrease fish production efficiency and yields by causing hypoxia (dissolved oxygen, DO < 2 mg/L) and stimulating excessive phytoplankton, filamentous green algae, and vascular plant growth. In this study, we quantified the effects of manufactured feed addition (no feeding, 1%, or 3% body‐weight/day, BW/d) on DO and inorganic phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, plant abundance, and invertebrate prey production in ponds stocked with age‐0 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. We found that the 3% BW/d ponds had lower DO concentrations and greater infestation by filamentous green algae (Rhizoclonium spp.) as compared to the 1% BW/d and no‐feeding ponds. Using stable N and carbon (C) isotopes to trace the fate of feed‐derived N and C in ponds, as well as analysis of zooplankton abundance, we determined that the supplied feed did not support or enhance production of natural invertebrate prey. To improve fish production efficiency, we recommend that managers leverage natural prey support of growth during early life, then adjust feeding levels to enhance growth of older fish and maintain suitable habitat quality.     

生物渔肥对水泥池浮游生物种群的影响

试验探讨了施用生物渔肥(绿源生)后水体中浮游植物和浮游动物的变化。试验取2个水泥养殖池,其中一个为试验池,施入生物渔肥量为4 g/L,另一个为不施肥的对照池。试验结果表明:施用生物渔肥后试验池中的浮游植物在第2天开始迅速增长,第4天达到生长高峰,比对照池同期增长116.25%,硅藻门取代绿藻门成为优势种群;试验池中的原生动物在第4天达到最大值,比对照池增长16.18%,轮虫、枝角类,桡足类在第6天大量增长,比对照池分别增长30.40%、20.59%和17.46%;试验池浮游生物总量在施入渔肥后的第12天仍高于对照池。本试验条件下,生物渔肥对浮游植物和浮游动物的种类影响不大,但对浮游植物和浮游动物的密度影响较大。     

Substitution of fish meal with sunflower seed meal in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) reared in earthen ponds

This study investigated sunflower seed meal (SSM) as dietary protein replacement of fish meal (FM) for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles (initial mean weight of 19.8 ± 6.3 g) reared in earthen ponds for 210 days. SSM replaced 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (i.e., D₂₅, D₅₀, D₇₅, and D₁₀₀, respectively) of FM in an isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet. The optimum FM replacement level of D₂₅ as predicted by the equation y = 177.5 + 26.5x – 7.9x² yielded an optimum weight of about 184 g within 100 days. Thus D₂₅ was the most effective SSM level for Nile tilapia growth in earthen ponds. Fish growth declined as SSM exceeded D₂₅. The length-weight relationship (r ≥ 90%) depicted an isometric fish growth. Nutrient utilization parameters were similar in all the diets except for D₁₀₀. The protein content of fish carcass was highest in the control and D₂₅, while fiber level was highest in D₁₀₀. Amino acids imbalance and high fiber content could have reduced the fish growth at D₅₀, D₇₅, and D₁₀₀.     

Relative growth,survival and harvestability of bighead carp,silver carp,and their reciprocal hybrids

Growth and survival in the primary rearing phase (42 days) for bighead carp, silver carp, bighead × silver carp (BHC × SC), and silver × bighead carp (SC × BHC) in ponds and concrete tanks stocked at 370 500 fry/ha were studied. Mean survival for fishes in ponds was 93%, that in tanks was 73%. Yields among all fishes averaged 338 kg/ha. The growth rates of fishes in ponds were similar; in tanks, silver carp grew faster than the bighead carp.Growth, survival, and harvestability by seine during the secondary rearing phase (60-day duration) for the same groups of fish were studied. Fingerlings (0.9 g mean weight) were stocked in earthen ponds at 49 400 fish/ha and 98 800 fish/ha. Mean survival of fishes at low stocking rate was 77%, similar to that (71%) for the high stocking rate. Fish yields were similar at the low stocking rate. At the high rate, the BHC × SC yield (846 kg/ha) was greater than the SC × BHC yield (582 kg/ha). The BHC × SC and SC × BHC had greater mean weights at low stocking rate than at high stocking rate. The mean weights for bighead carp were similar at both rates. Bighead carp and the reciprocal hybrids were more easily harvested by seine than silver carp.     

Low Protein Diets for Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Raised in Earthen Ponds at High Density1

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of low protein diets for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus raised in earthen ponds at high density. Fingerling channel catfish were stocked into 0.04-ha earthen ponds at a rate 24,700 fish/ha and fed experimental diets daily to satiation from April to October 1995. The five diets contained either 32, 28, 24, 20, or 16% crude protein with digestible energy to protein (DE:P) ratios ranging from 8.9 to 16.2 kcal/ g protein. Weight gain was not different among channel catfish fed diets containing 32, 28, or 24% crude protein. Fish fed diets containing 20% or 16% crude protein gained less weight than fish fed the diets containing 28% or 24% crude protein, but not statistically less than the fish fed the 32% crude protein diet. Feed consumption data followed similar trends as weight gain data. Feed conversion ratio increased linearly as dietary protein decreased, but was not significantly different (multiple range test) for fish fed diets containing either 32% or 28% crude protein. There were no differences in survival and hematocrit of fish fed the different diets. No differences (multiple range test) were observed in dressout percentages for fish fed the various diets, but dressout percentage tended to decrease linearly as dietary protein decreased. Visceral fat and fillet fat increased and fillet protein and moisture decreased linearly as dietary protein decreased. Results from this study indicated that dietary protein concentrations as low as 24% are adequate for maximum weight gain of pond-raised channel catfish fed daily to satiation. Fish fed dietary protein levels below 24% grew relatively well, particularly considering that dietary protein was reduced 40–50% below that typically used in commercial channel catfish feeds. However, dietary protein levels below 24% may increase fattiness to an unacceptable level presumably because of the high digestible energy to protein ratio.     

Effect of Satiate or Restricted Feeding on Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Production in Earthen Ponds

Abstract.— This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of satiate or restricted feeding on the growth and production of golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas . Golden shiners (1.2 g) stocked at 560 kg/ha in 12,0.04-ha earthen ponds for 79 d grew to average weights of 5.6, 4.6 and 3.8 g for fish fed to satiation, or 75% or 50% of that amount, respectively. Gross yield ranged from 811 to 1,277 kg/ha; net yield did not differ significantly among treatments.     

Channel Catfish Polyculture with Fathead Minnows or Threadfin Shad: Effects on Pond Plankton Communities and Catfish Fillet Flavor,Color, and Fatty Acid Composition

Threadfin shad, Dorosoma petenense, or fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, were co‐cultured with channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in earthen ponds to determine the effects of planktivory on plankton community dynamics and catfish fillet quality. Fathead minnows had no effect on the plankton community structure or catfish fillet flavor, color, and fatty acid composition. Fillet color was also unaffected by the presence of threadfin shad. Small differences were found in fillet fatty acid composition for catfish from ponds with shad, but these differences probably have no biological significance. Threadfin shad did, however, have important impacts on the plankton community structure and catfish flavor. Size‐selective filter‐feeding by shad reduced cyanobacterial abundance relative to ponds with catfish‐only and fathead minnows. Relative abundance of smaller phytoplankton in the groups Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Bacillariophyceae, and Euglenophyta increased in ponds with shad. Relative abundance of small zooplankton (rotifers) also increased in shad ponds. Reduced abundance of large, colonial cyanobacteria that are known to produce odorous metabolites caused a corresponding reduction in off‐flavor prevalence and intensity in catfish from ponds with threadfin shad when sampled in September. Although threadfin shad dramatically reduced catfish off‐flavor prevalence during the warm season, they apparently caused a high prevalence of “fishy” off‐flavors in the February sample. This undesirable flavor appeared to be caused by catfish foraging on shad killed during a preceding period of exceptionally cold water temperatures. Use of threadfin shad for phytoplankton biomanipulation therefore presents a dilemma: catfish–shad polyculture reduces prevalence of cyanobacteria‐related off‐flavors in warm months but may cause undesirable forage‐related off‐flavors in the colder months. Catfish farmers must consider these benefits and risks when deciding to use threadfin shad as a management tool.