Open AccessIncreasing Yields of Channel Catfish Using a Combination of Cage and Open Pond Production Systems 1
Author(s) -
Terhune Jeffery s.,
Tomasso Joseph R.,
Schwedler Thomas E.,
Collier John A.
Publication year - 1992
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.1749-7345.1992.tb00753.x
Subject(s) - catfish , biology , cage , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , zoology , fish farming , fish pond , aquaculture , mathematics , combinatorics
Channel catfish ( lctalurus punctatus ) fingerlings stocked at a rate of 450 fish/0.04 ha pond were simultaneously cultured with fingerlings stocked in 1.25 m 3 cages (0, 250, 350, or 450 fishlcage; one cage/pond). The fish in the cages were cultured and harvested for a 90–330 g (whole fish) market. The fish in the open ponds were cultured and harvested for a 490–1,140 g market. Harvest weights of open pond fish in all treatments were similar indicating that the presence of the caged fish and the associated higher daily pond feeding rates did not affect open pond production. Ninety‐five to 99% of the caged fish and 96 to 98% of the open pond fish were of marketable size at harvest. Survival and food conversion ratios were similar among treatments. Results of this study indicate that total pond production can be increased (in this case up to 19%) by using a combination of open pond and cage techniques and by simultaneously producing fish for two markets.