Effect of Tank Stocking Density on Larval Sunshine Bass Growth and Survival to the Fingerling Stage

Abstract

AbstractDetermining optimum parameters for tank culture of sunshine bass (white bass Morone chrysops × striped bass M. saxatilis) fingerlings will facilitate a year‐round supply of seed for the production cycle of this increasingly popular food fish. This experiment determined the relationship between the stocking density of sunshine bass larvae in tanks and their survival rate and size at the time they were trained to accept commercial feeds. Four‐day posthatch (dph) larvae were stocked at 10 densities from 30 to 120 larvae/L in 10‐larvae/L increments. Larvae were initially fed rotifers Brachionus plicatilis cultured with Nannochloropsis spp. algae paste and commercial rotifer feed at 60 rotifers·mL−1·d−1 until 10 dph. Conversion to brine shrimp Artemia spp. began at 7 dph. The daily ration of brine shrimp started at 4/mL and increased by 4/mL every 4 d up to 20/mL. Training to dry starter feed began at 20 dph when 6 g/d of a commercial larval starter meal was offered; 2 d later, salmon starter meal was offered at 8 g/d in 10 equal portions. Photographs of live samples of larvae taken at 4 dph and harvest were used to determine the lengths of the fish. Regression analysis revealed that there was no significant relationship between survival and stocking density. The length and weight of the fish had a linear, negative relationship with stocking density, whereas total tank yield had a curvilinear relationship with stocking density. Under the conditions of this experiment, a stocking density of 87 larvae/L provided the maximum yield.