New Approaches for Management of Fertilized Hatchery Ponds

Abstract

This volume is a collection of papers that present some strategies and tactics that can be used to improve production and efficiency in the propagation of fingerlings in fertilized hatchery ponds. Species of fish in these papers include: paddlefish, Polyodon spathula; grass carp, Ctenopharygoden idella; silver carp, Hypopthalmichthys molitrix; bighead carp, H. nobilis; walleye, Stizostedion vitreum; saugeye, S. canadense ♀ x S. vitreum ♂ largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides; striped bass, Morone saxatilis; hybrid striped bass, M. saxatilis ♀ x M. chrysops♂. In addition, there is a paper discussing the culture of penacid shrimp. It is proposed to designate the age of fish as: Dl = the day of hatch; D2 = the next day starting at midnight of D1; etc. It is also proposed to present fertilization amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) as µ/L or mg/L Economic and ecological considerations lead to the recommendation that pond filling should be initiated as close to stocking as feasible and that the pond be filled after stocking. Water quality requirements of larvae vary with developmental stages and species. Excessive fertilization may cause elevated pH and toxic concentrations of unionized ammonia. Best results should be expected from fertilization on a pond-by-pond basis with plant meals or chemical fertilizers applied at appropriate concentrations of available N and P to achieve the desired responses.