Experimental rearing of
juvenile New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910): a potential
new aquaculture species
R.W. Hickman, M.J. Tait-2001
Aquaculture Research, 32(9): 727-737
(from Current Contents)
Abstract :
Investigations into factors affecting the growth of
the first hatchery-produced juvenile New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis
(Waite 1910) showed that this endemic flatfish can be reared in raceways and
tanks. After initial high mortality (>60%) in the post-weaning period (to
120 days post-hatch), the juveniles showed high survival over the grow-out
period. Growth of the juveniles was better at lower (16-18°C) than at
higher (>20°C) water temperatures, and better in a deep tank than in
shallow raceways. Under the experimental rearing conditions, growth (to mean
weight of 0.2 kg in 20 months) was relatively slow and food conversion (FCRs
>1.4) relatively high, both factors being related to the feeding
behaviour of this species. C. nudipinnis feeds directly from the bottom, and
this behavioural characteristic influences aspects of fish farming practice,
such as stocking density and feeding strategy, that are critical to its
economic viability. There is potential to improve the growth by optimizing
the rearing conditions, so that it may not be unrealistic to achieve the
maximum growth reached in these trials commercially and produce marketable
farmed turbot, of over 400 g weight, within 2 years.
(NIWA Aquaculture, Mahanga Bay, Wellington, New
Zealand)