Open AccessThe Sheepshead Minnow Cyprinodon variegatus —A Major Pest in Experimental Mariculture of the Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis
Author(s) -
Perschbacher Peter W.,
Straw Kirk
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1988.tb00938.x
Subject(s) - fundulus , biology , mariculture , broodstock , fishery , minnow , ecology , zoology , aquaculture , fish <actinopterygii>
In an experimental Fundulus grundis hatch and growout system at the Cedar Bayou Mariculture Laboratory, egg‐to‐harvested‐fry survival rate of F. grundis was inversely related to percentage of Cyprinodon variegatus fry present ( P < 0.05). Competition for food and space was noted in growout ponds, and high mortalities of F. grundis fry and adults occurred in mixed holding containers as a result of the agonistic behavior of C. variegutus . The hardiness and aggressiveness of the sheepshead minnow, its ability to enter water supplies as small prolarvae, its early sexual maturity, and rapid increase in ponds make it a significant pest in mariculture. Control measures for C. variegutus include screening incoming water; hand‐sorting contaminated broodstock and fry; and draining, drying, and refilling infested ponds to allow drought‐resistant eggs to hatch, then draining and drying again.