Effect of High Stocking Rates on Growth and Survival of the Endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Hybognathus amarus

Abstract

The endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow Hybognathus amarus was cultured in 2.44-m-diameter outdoor tanks in a 131-day yield trial to assess growth, survival, and percentage of taggable-sized fish (<TEX>${\geq}35mm$</TEX> total length) when stocked at 500/tank (1.07 million/ha), 1,000/tank (2.14 million/ha), and 1,500/tank (3.21 million/ha). At harvest, fish averaged 45.6 mm and 0.94 g in the 500/tank treatment, 42.6 mm and 0.74 g in the 1,000/tank treatment, and 38.4 mm and 0.55 g in the 1,500/tank treatment; the differences were significant (P = 0.05). Survival in the three treatments was 70%, 64%, and 52%, respectively, but the differences were not significant. Percent taggable-sized fish was 86%, 89%, and 65%, respectively, but the differences were not significant. Yield was 672.5 kg/ha, 1,026.6 kg/ha, and 887.8 kg/ha, respectively; yield in the 1,000/tank treatment was significantly greater than that in the 500/tank treatment, but was not significantly greater than that of the 1,500/tank treatment. This facility is a conservation facility and a major goal is to raise fish without formulated feed. Fertilization produced good growth for the first month, but little growth occurred during the second month so supplemental feed had to be used for the final 60 d of the yield trial.