Demonstration of Survival, Growth, and Reproduction of Gulf Killifish in Freshwater Ponds

Abstract

AbstractThe Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis, a popular baitfish species inhabiting estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico, has potential as an aquaculture species, particularly if it can be produced in low‐salinity or freshwater ponds. Because growth and survival in freshwater ponds are not known, two size‐classes were examined over a 16‐week period. Initial mean stocking weights and densities were 0.47 g/fish and 26,500 fish/ha for the smaller size‐group, which was stocked into three 0.04‐ha ponds, and 6.12 g/fish and 20,450 fish/ha for the larger size‐group, which was stocked into two 0.04‐ha ponds. Growth and survival were similar between size‐classes: mean final weight and mean survival were 7.88 g/fish and 54.3%, respectively, for the smaller size‐group, and 13.90 g/fish and 43.1% for the larger size‐group. Mean weight gain was very similar between size‐groups (small: 7.41 g; large: 7.78 g); steady growth was observed from June until mid‐September, whereas little growth and declines in condition factor were observed from mid‐September to mid‐October, corresponding with decreases in water temperature. Gulf Killifish were resilient to a wide range of water quality conditions in freshwater ponds and reached market sizes of 3 g at about 4 weeks and 5 g by 8 weeks.