Growth Performance of Walleye, Sander vitreus, in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Abstract

Walleye, Sander vitreus, fingerlings were reared in two recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to compare growth performance at three stocking densities (11, 24, and 36 kg/m³). There was a negative relationship between increasing stocking density and growth calculated as percent body weight (BW) gain/day, total length (mm) gain/day, specific growth rate (SGR) of weight (%/day), and SGR of total length (%/day). Growth parameters were significantly reduced in the 36 kg/m³ treatment. Results suggest maintaining a tank density between 24 and 36 kg/m³ to achieve economic efficiency when rearing walleye fingerlings in RAS. In a long-term growth trial conducted in a third RAS, fingerlings were raised from 22 g to 180 g over 241 days while being fed 2.5%-7.5% body weight/day and cultured at 22°C. We estimate >810 days in culture would be needed for walleye to reach market size (567 g).

Keywords:

• stocking density
• economic efficiency
• market size

This paper is a result of research funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award #NA86RG0056 to the Research Foundation of State University of New York for New York Sea Grant. The U.S. Government is authorized to produce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes not withstanding any copyright notation that may appear hereon. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its sub-agencies. The authors would also like to express their appreciation to Jacob Raz for his conscientious care and management of the walleyes throughout the study and his thoughtful suggestions on the project. This manuscript was improved by the useful comments of several reviewers.