Culture of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) juveniles using shallow raceways tanks and recirculation

R.A. Labatut, J.F. Olivares-2004 
Aquacultural Engineering, 32(1): 113-127

Abstract:

Traditionally, turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) have been cultured using square or circular tanks and flow-through systems. The use of an alternative culture system that combines RAS technology and shallow raceways tanks could produce similar growth rates at higher densities than conventional systems. In this study, growth and survival rates of turbot juveniles cultured in shallow raceway tanks under recirculating conditions have been evaluated. Two raceways with a 4 cm water column height were set up in series and loaded each with 3654 turbot juveniles of 5.6 g mean weight. Over a study period of 24 days, the average specific growth rate (SGR) observed was 1.4% and the feed conversion (FC) was 0.84 g feed/g fish weight. Daily mortality rate observed was 0.09%, with an overall survival of 98%. At the end of the study, average bottom coverage reached 262% (8 kg/m²). This study demonstrated that RAS technology in combination with shallow raceways allows high fish densities, improves overall productivity, decreases water pump requirements, and enhances reliability by having better control over environmental and operational parameters. Additional, longer period studies must be conducted to fully validate and approach this combined-technology to the commercial stage.

(Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Riley Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-5701, USA, e-mail: ral32@cornell.edu)

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