Appropriate Timing of Supplemental Feeding for Production of Nile Tilapia, Silver Carp, and Common Carp in Fertilized Polyculture Ponds

In an attempt to identify appropriate times for initial application of supplemental feed in polyculture fertilized fish production earthen ponds, a study was conducted for 19 wk to establish the growth performance, yield, survival, and body composition of Nile tilapia, common carp, and silver carp as influenced by four different feeding regimens (treatments). The four treatments were: 1) supplemental feeding beginning at onset of the experiment (T-I) (control treatment); 2) 6-wk delay of feeding after fish stocking (T-II); 3) 13-wk delay of feeding after fish stocking (T-III), and 4) no supplemental feed application (T-IV). Two ponds were assigned to each treatment and each pond was stocked with a similar number and weight of each fish species. A commercial pelleted fish feed (25% protein) was used to feed fish in T-I, T-II, and T-III at 3% of their body weight, twice a day. At the end of the experiment, fish species (except for silver carp) in T-II showed weight gain, growth rates, and yields significantly higher than fish in T-III or T-IV. Also, the total fish production and net profit in T-II were significantly higher than in T-III or T-IV. Fish species in T-II showed weight gain, growth rates, survival rates, and yields similar to those of T-I (control treatment) with no significant differences. The amount of feed consumed by fish in T-II was reduced by approximately 7.3% compared to that consumed by fish at T-I. Moreover, there was increase in th net profit in T-II by 4.8% over that achieved in T-I. Therefore, T-II appears to be the most appropriate among the tested feeding treatments and recommended for use in order to achieve the best growth, production, and net profit.     

Supplemental Feeding of Tilapia in Fertilized Ponds

The addition of feed to fertilized fish ponds was evaluated by adding feed alone, feed plus fertilizer, or fertilizer alone to nine ponds stocked with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus . Two experiments were conducted. The first had 500 fish per 250 m² pond in 3 treatments: ad-libitum feeding; fertilizer only; or fertilizer and ad-libitum feeding. The second experiment had 5 treatments with 750 fish per pond ad-libitum feed only; fertilizer only; or 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 satiation ration plus fertilizer. Ponds in Thailand were maintained for 155–162 d, during which chemical and physical properties were monitored. In experiment 1 tilapia growth was highest in feed only ponds, and lowest in fertilizer only ponds. Net yield did not differ significantly among treatments, due to variation in survival. In experiment 2, tilapia growth was lowest in fertilizer only ponds, intermediate in 0.25 ration ponds, and highest in 0.50, 0.75, and ad-libitum ponds. The latter treatments were not significantly different. Multiple regressions for each experiment indicated only 47–87% of the variance in growth was explained by feed and fertilizer input, while 52–89% of the variance in yield was explained by those factors. For both experiments combined, 90.3% of the variance in growth was explained by feed input, fertilizer input, alkalinity, and total inorganic nitrogen concentration. For yield, R ² was 0.888 and the regression included feed input, pH, and number of low dissolved oxygen events. Experiment 1 appeared to approach carrying capacity near the end, while no reduction in growth occurred in experiment 2 at higher fish density and biomass. Reductions in growth in experiment 1 were not correlated with declining water quality late in the grow out. Combinations of feed and fertilizer were most efficient in growing tilapia to large size (500 g) compared to complete feeding or fertilizing alone.     

草鱼单养和混养池塘的水质与生物组成特征

为比较单养、混养草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)养殖池塘的水质与生物组成特点，采取水质分析、环境DNA与传统鉴别方法对草鱼单养、混养(80:20)两类池塘的水质变化、浮游生物、底栖生物、菌群结构进行了分析。结果表明，混养池塘的水质优于单养池塘，混养池塘水体中总氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO_3^--N)、氨氮(NH_4⁺-N)、亚硝态氮(NO_2^--N)的浓度比单养池塘分别低10.15%、3.78%、5.07%、80.18%，总磷(TP)和活性磷(SRP)的浓度分别低27.14%和56.26%；两类池塘中浮游植物均以绿藻门(Chlorophyta)、蓝藻门(Cyanophyta)、隐藻门(Cryptophyta)为优势种，但单养池塘中的藻类密度为30×10^₆cells/L，低于混养池塘104×10^₆cells/L；两类池塘中的浮游动物均以轮虫和原生动物为优势种，枝角类和桡足类生物数量较少，单养池塘中浮游动物密度高于混养池塘；在底栖动物方面，单养池塘存在螺类、水蚯蚓和摇蚊幼虫，而混养池塘仅有螺类和摇蚊幼虫。在菌群组成方面，单养池塘水体中以厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)为优势类群，混养池塘水体中以变形菌门(Proteobacteria)为优势类群；但在两类池塘底泥中，均以变形菌门为优势类群。以上结果表明，草鱼混养有利于改善养殖池塘水质，增加浮游植物丰富度，改变养殖水体菌群的结构。本研究为优化草鱼池塘养殖结构，改善水质，构建高效池塘养殖模式提供了依据。     

Natural Food Selectivity Changes with Weights of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus), Reared in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

This work was carried out to study the relationship between fish weight and natural food selectivity of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) reared in earthen ponds without supplementary diet and to guide the adaptation of feeding and fertilization strategies. Fish were stocked (1.5 fish/m²) in four fertilized earthen ponds (0.1 ha) for 6 months. Fifty fish were sampled monthly to estimate individual total weight and length and evaluate stomach contents. Fish specimens were categorized into different weight classes: <25 g, 25–50 g, 50–75 g, 75–100 g, and 100–125 g. Overall, the 50–75 g weight class had the highest degree of stomach fullness. The intestinal length-fish length ratio was similar across all fish weights, ranging from 2.9–3.4. Likewise, the composition of food items found in fish stomach was ranked as phytoplankton > detritus > zooplankton. Phytoplankton contribution to gut content increased with increasing fish weight, while detritus and zooplankton contribution decreased. Zooplankton never exceeded 1% of total stomach contents. Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae mostly represented the phytoplankton. Bacillariophyceae dominated the phytoplanktonic portion of stomach contents at small fish size (<75 g/fish), while Chlorophyceae is the dominant group at large fish size (> 75 g/fish). Fish could select Cyanobacteria and Euglenophyceae at all fish weights, meanwhile Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae were eaten with slight selectivity at larger weights..     

Growth, Yield, Dressout, and Net Returns of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Stocked at Three Densities in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

Abstract.— Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis have been raised in the United States for two decades and sold through the livehaul market, but their profitability in monoculture has not been evaluated. Three studies were conducted in 0.10-ha earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of bighead carp stocking density on growth, yield, dressout yield. and net returns. Initially, bighead carp (average weight of 0.36 kg) were stocked at rates of 500, 320, or 130 fish/ha with three replicates of each treatment. Stocking rates for 2-yr-old fish (average weight of 2.45 kg) were reduced to 320, 220, or 130 fish/ha in the second year. Net yields of bighead carp stocked at 500 fish/ha (963 kg/ha) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than net yields at the 320 fishha density (771 kg/ha), and these were significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than net yields at 130 fish/ha (369 kg/ha) in the first growing season. Net yields in the second growing season were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) among densities. There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) among treatments in yearly growth which ranged from 11–17 g/d in the first and from 6–13 g/d in the second growing season. Dressout percentages for whole-dressed, steak, shank fillet, and shank fillets with white meat only did not differ with stocking density ( P > 0.05). Enterprise and partial budget analysis indicated that monoculture of bighead carp in fertilized ponds is profitable only in the short run at average livehaul market prices, because revenues exceeded variable but not fixed costs. The negative net returns, when all costs were accounted for, indicated that it is not profitable to construct ponds solely for monoculture of bighead carp.     

黄河滩地罗氏沼虾池塘混养彭泽鲫试验

根据罗氏沼虾和彭泽鲫的生物学特性，在罗氏沼虾养殖中适时投放适宜规格的彭泽鲫，对于调控池塘水质和防止虾病的发生起到了重要作用，提高了池塘养殖罗氏沼虾的经济效益。     

Sedimentation and Resuspension in Earthen Fish Ponds

Resuspension of particles from pond sediment into the water column may be an important nutrient transfer mechanism in aquaculture ponds. However, the magnitude of sediment re-suspension cannot be determined directly because sediment traps collect particles settling from the water column as well as those re-suspended from the pond bottom. We developed a dilution analysis method to differentiate the magnitude of the two particle source fluxes based upon the concentration of soil-derived elements (Si, Al, and Fe) and water-derived elements (C, N) in material collected by sediment traps placed in earthen ponds. Estimated organic C sedimentation from feed residues and algae was compared with trapped organic C as an independent and approximate measure of resuspension. Resuspension fluxes based independently on analyses of three soil-derived elements and on the estimation of expected C sedimentation were similar and accounted for 60–90% of the total solids flux (121–2,676 g/m² per d) in most ponds sampled. The proportion of total flux that was derived from resuspension in ponds stocked with common carp Cyprinus carpio and tilapia Oreochromis spp . was modeled as a hyperbolic function of fish size and density, with a threshold fish size of 200–300 g. Resuspension flux was conservatively estimated to be equivalent to the daily suspension of a few mm of the pond bottom. These results indicate that sediment resuspension is a major process in carp and tilapia ponds, suggesting that the exchange of nutrients between the sediment and overlying water is intensive.     

Production of Walleye,Stizostedion vitreum,in Earthen Ponds Fertilized with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Stocked at Three Rates

Walleye, Stizostedion vitreum, fry were raised at densities of 20,30 and 40/m³ in ponds initially fertilized with alfalfa and yeast and supplementally fertilized with liquid inorganic fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers were added weekly to maintain N and P concentrations of 600 and 30 ug/L, respectively. Fish growth was not affected by stocking rate, but survival was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in ponds stocked at the two higher rates. The fertilization procedure we used did not provide a sufficient forage base to support more that 20 walleye/m³.     

Comparison of Growth Between Morone Hybrids (Palmetto and Sunshine) in Earthen Ponds

Palmetto bass are produced by crossing the female striped bass, Morone saxatilis, with the male white bass, Morone chrysops; whereas, the sunshine bass is the reciprocal cross. The hybrid striped bass industry typically rears sunshine bass in earthen ponds, because of the ease of handling, availability, and early maturation of the white bass female broodstock. Growth performance has been assumed similar between the crosses. Under commercial pond conditions, sunshine bass (19.8 ± 0.4 g (mean ± SEM)) and palmetto bass (23.2 ± 0.3 g) were grown to market size (617.0 ± 17.2 g sunshine and 620 ± 3.6 g palmetto) within 15 mo, yielding 4532.6 kg/ha. The net production between the crosses was not significantly different and averaged 4373.4 kg/ha. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of sunshine bass (FCR 1.70) was better (P = 0.0158) than palmetto bass (FCR 1.76). Commercial processing metrics of each cross demonstrated significant differences, with sunshine bass exhibiting lower frame waste (P = 0.0457) than palmetto bass, probably due to fish body shape or conformational differences at this size. Without growth performance differences between the hybrids, there might be an advantage to rearing sunshine bass due to the slightly better FCR and increased skinless boneless fillet yield.     

Polyculture of a Critically Endangered Olive Barb,Puntius sarana (Ham.), with Indigenous Major Carps in Earthen Ponds

Polyculture of olive barb with indigenous major carps was carried out for 8 mo at different densities in earthen ponds. All the experimental ponds were stocked with fingerlings of major carps viz., catla, Catla catla, and rohu, Labeo rohita, at the rate of 3750/ha each. In addition, olive barb, Puntius sarana, was stocked at the rate of 10,000, 12,500, and 15,000 fingerlings/ha in treatment‐1 (T₁), treatment‐2 (T₂), and treatment‐3 (T₃), respectively. Fish in all the ponds were fed with supplementary feed comprising of rice bran (70%), mustard oil cake (25%), and fish meal (5%) at the rate of 3–6% of the estimated body weight. Physicochemical parameters and plankton populations of pond water were within the acceptable range for fish culture. The mean final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate of catla were very similar in all the treatments while those for rohu and olive barb were significantly higher in T₁ than in T₂ and T₃. The gross and net productions in T₁ were significantly higher than in T₂ and T₃. The net benefit was also highest in T₁ followed by T₂ and lowest in T₃. Under the conditions of this experiment, growth, production, and benefits were greatest at a stocking density of olive barb at 10,000/ha in polyculture with other major carps.     

Aerobic Bacterial Flora of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Cultured in Earthen Ponds in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Quantitative and qualitative estimation of bacterial flora present in pond water, sediments, gills, and intestine of healthy common carp Cyprinus carpio cultured in Saudi Arabia were performed and identified to species level where possible. Mean total viable bacterial counts in pond water ranged from 1.2?±?2.9?×?10⁴ to 2.5?±?3.5?×?10⁵ cfu/mL; in sediments, 9.3?±?2.1?×?10⁷ to 2.7?±?3.5?×?10⁹ cfu/g; in gills filaments, 4.3?±?2.9?×?10⁶ to 1.6?±?3.9?×?10⁷ cfu/g; and in intestine, 8.7?±?4.1?×?10⁹ to 5.4?±?3.2?×?10¹⁰ cfu/g. Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria dominated (76%) the populations. In total, 12 bacterial genera and 15 species were identified. Pond water and sediment bacteria had the reflection on bacterial composition of gills and intestine of carp. Intestinal bacteria showed more diversification in contrast to gill bacteria. Aeromonas hydrophila, Shewanella putrefaciens, Vibrio cholerae, Corynebacterium urealyticum, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio sp., and Staphylococcus sp. were the common bacteria in all the populations. In pond water and carp intestine, A. hydrophila, S. putrefaciens, V. cholerae, and C. urealyticum were the most dominant bacteria (prevalence ≥ 10%) where pond sediments and the carp gills experienced with more one dominant bacterium V. vulnificus. Only the A. hydrophila covered one fourth (25%) of the total bacterial populations.     

池塘鳜鱼—鱼种混养模式初步研究

报道了1994，1995，1996年池塘鳜鱼－鱼种混养3种放养模式的试验结果，对其代表性池塘经济效益作抽样分析，结合有关文献讨论了3种模式的放养种类，规格，比例，密度等问题。     

长吻鮠池塘单养试验

长吻鮠(Leiocass longirostris)隶属鲶形目，鮠科，鮠属，体型呈纺锤状，头较小，吻尖而长，口下位。体表光滑无鳞，背部呈灰黑色，腹部灰白色，体侧无黑色斑点，有鳍。性格温和，平时栖息于水体底层，夜间在水体中上层活动和觅食，性喜集群，是一种底栖型肉食性鱼类。其肉质细嫩鲜美，尤其是鱼鳔硕大肥厚，被人们视为上等美味佳肴。长吻鮠是一种很有发展前景的名特优水产养殖品种。2003年笔者进行了池塘单养试验，生产成本为14元／kg。现将试验情况总结如下。     

Overwintering Paddlefish in Monoculture and in Polyculture with Channel Catfish and Rainbow Trout

Paddlefish, "Polydon spathula," overwintered in monoculture and in polyculture with fingerling channel catfish, "Ictalurus punctatus," or with rainbow trout, "Oncorhynchus mykiss," were examined for growth and compatibility in nine 0.04-ha ponds. Paddlefish in polyculture had significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) individual weight gains than those in monoculture. Feed in polyculture treatments probably served as a fertilizer, promoting zooplankton production for paddlefish consumption and growth. Paddlefish in polyculture with fingerling channel catfish had significantly greater (P < 0.05) individual weight gains than paddlefish polycultured with rainbow trout, although there was less feed input with channel catfish than with rainbow trout. Bloody and frayed fins on paddlefish stocked with rainbow trout suggested fin nipping by rainbow trout which may have interfered with paddlefish feeding and growth. Paddlefish overwintered in polyculture with fingerling channel catfish demonstrated increased weight gains and good species compatibility.     

Effects of Timing of Common Carp Larvae Stocking on Zooplankton Succession in Earthen Nursery Ponds: A Microcosm Simulation

Large‐scale commercial nurseries face problems in obtaining enough zooplankton of adequate species composition and size when fish larvae start to feed. To address these problems a simulation of the effects of timing of fish larvae stocking after pond filling on zooplankton composition was carried out. The experimental system consisted of twelve 130‐L containers, in which zooplankton populations were exclusively autochthonous (hatched from resting eggs in the sediments, not entering with the filling water). Treatments consisted of stocking 2‐d‐old common carp larvae on the fourth and sixth days after water filling and a control without fish. The effects of timing of stocking on fish larvae growth and on zooplankton composition were explored using factor analysis. This enabled the identification of several groups of zooplankters that respond in different ways to predation by fish larvae. FACTOR1 was a general measurement of small rotifer abundance. It showed earlier increase in response to the exposure to fish predation, and toward the end of the experiment indicated that fish also preyed on them. FACTOR2 identified the direct effects of size‐selective fish predation on zooplankton that differed according to timing of fish larvae stocking. FACTOR3 identified benthic rotifers, whose density in the plankton increased as a result of fish disturbance of the bottom sediment and decreased as a result of fish predation, also according to timing of fish larvae stocking. In the studied system no rotifers were present in the filling water and the zooplankton peak of autochthonous populations took a while to develop. Under this zooplankton succession pattern, stocking fish larvae before the rotifer concentration started to increase (Day 4) greatly affected their own food resources. The strong predation pressure exerted on the emergent resource retarded the zooplankton increase for 4 d. It also changed the composition toward smaller species and forced fish to feed on less preferred resources, which resulted in reduced fish growth rate. Stocking fish larvae after the rotifer concentration had started to increase (Day 6) allowed the fish to come across increasing amounts of zooplankton of large‐size species, not requiring the exploitation of small benthic rotifers. This resulted in better fish growth rates. Thus, increased larvae production in commercial nurseries can be achieved by matching fish stocking with the increasing phase of the zooplankton peak.     

Comparative Economics of Four Aquaculture Species Under Monoculture and Polyculture Production in Guam

Financial analysis, which included breakeven, net present value, internal rate of return, present value index, payback period and financial ratios, was carried out on data from three aquaculture farms located on Guam. The analysis included four primary species, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Chanos chanos, Clarias batrachus , and a hybrid Oreochromis mossambicus × O . niloticus , and two culture methods, monoculture and polyculture. Asian catfish, Clorias batrachus , monoculture showed the greatest capital return. The use of NPV, PVI, IRR, and payback period as decision criteria also resulted in the selection of Asian catfish monoculture from the alternative species and culture methods considered. Tilapia polyculture had the lowest return on investment (less than 1%) and required 92% of the total production to reach the breakeven point. The application of the analysis methods presented provide a means for management to reduce financial risks and make informed choices between alternative strategies.     

Bacterial Flora of Artemia Cultured in Earthen Saline Ponds

Aerobic bacteria in pond water, sediments, and Artemia in earthen saline ponds in Saudi Arabia were quantified. Total viable counts (TVC; mean ± SD) in pond water ranged between 7.9 ± 4.8 × 10³ and 1.6 ± 3.7 × 10⁴ colony forming units (cfu)/mL; in sediments between 7.1 ± 4.2 × 10⁶ and 6.5 ± 3.8 × 10⁷ cfu/g; on Artemia surfaces, 3.9 ± 0.9 × 10³ and 1.0 ± 2.9 × 10⁴ cfu/Artemia; and in Artemia homogenate, 4.6 ± 2.4 × 10⁷ and 3.2 ± 3.6 × 10⁸ cfu/g. The bacterial flora was predominantly Gram-negative rods, accounting for 89% of total isolates. Altogether, nine bacterial species of seven genera were identified. Bacteria in pond sediments were the most diverse compared to other populations. In all populations, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio sp., and Staphylococcus sp. were dominant (P < 0.005). The bacterial flora of pond water and sediments were reflected in the bacterial composition on and in Artemia.     

New Approaches for Management of Fertilized Hatchery Ponds

This volume is a collection of papers that present some strategies and tactics that can be used to improve production and efficiency in the propagation of fingerlings in fertilized hatchery ponds. Species of fish in these papers include: paddlefish, Polyodon spathula; grass carp, Ctenopharygoden idella; silver carp, Hypopthalmichthys molitrix; bighead carp, H. nobilis; walleye, Stizostedion vitreum; saugeye, S. canadense ♀ x S. vitreum ♂ largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides; striped bass, Morone saxatilis; hybrid striped bass, M. saxatilis ♀ x M. chrysops♂. In addition, there is a paper discussing the culture of penacid shrimp. It is proposed to designate the age of fish as: Dl = the day of hatch; D2 = the next day starting at midnight of D1; etc. It is also proposed to present fertilization amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) as µ/L or mg/L Economic and ecological considerations lead to the recommendation that pond filling should be initiated as close to stocking as feasible and that the pond be filled after stocking. Water quality requirements of larvae vary with developmental stages and species. Excessive fertilization may cause elevated pH and toxic concentrations of unionized ammonia. Best results should be expected from fertilization on a pond-by-pond basis with plant meals or chemical fertilizers applied at appropriate concentrations of available N and P to achieve the desired responses.     

Growth, Survival, Yield, and Size Distributions of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in Polyculture and Monoculture Systems in Puerto Rico

Abstract.— Tilapia and freshwater prawn production in Puerto Rico for monoculture and polyculture systems were compared. The experiment consisted of three treatments with three replicates each. The stocking rates for the prawn monoculture, fish monoculture and polyculture treatments were respectively: 7 prawns/m², 1 tilapia/M², and 7 prawns with 1 tilapia/ m². The mean stocking size for tilapia and prawn were respectively, 7–8 g and 1–1.3 g. After 145 d of culture, yields and mean weight of tilapia in monoculture and polyculture system were not significantly different. Total yields were 2,942 and 2,769 kg/ha, respectively. Mean weights were 348 g in monoculture and 331 g in polyculture. Yields and mean weight of prawns in monoculture and polyculture were significantly different. Total yields were 1,367 and 951 kg/ha, respectively. Mean weights were 55 g in monoculture and 31 g in polyculture. Total yield in polyculture was 3,720 kg/ha showing an increase over the production separately obtained in prawn and fish monoculture.