Heyward, L.D., Sr., Smith, T.I.J., Jenkins, W.E.
Abstract:
Research focused on raising white bass to brood stock size has
examined rearing requirements for all life stages. Research on
intensively rearing white bass larvae has begun to identify suitable
feeding regimes. This study compared the performance of
pond-reared juvenile white bass fed different natural and artificial
transition diets. Fish (44.2 mm TL, 1.5 g) were harvested from
nursery ponds and stocked in replicate 38 L glass aquaria at a density
of 10 fish/aquarium. There were 4 replicates of each diet treatment.
Commercial pelleted diets were manufactured by Biodiet, Zeigler,
and Biokyowa and natural feeds were live Tubifox worms, chopped
squid, and chopped fish. Fish were fed diets alone and in combination
with other diets 2 times/day. Data were statistically analyzed using
ANOVA, with differences identified by Duncan's multiple range tests
(P </= 0.05).
After 49 days, fish fed a combination of worms/fish/squid were
significantly larger (94 mm TL, 10.8 g) than those fish fed other diet
combinations (90.3 mm TL, 9.5 g). Among fish fed commercial diets
alone, those fed Biokyowa grew significantly faster. However,
survival for all the commercial diet treatments was significantly lower
(15%) than for fish receiving diet combinations which included
natural feeds (88%). These data illustrate the importance of including
natural feeds in diets as fish are conditioned to eat commercial
pelleted rations.
(South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources
Research Institute, P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
29422-2559)