Comparisons of Two By-Products and a Prepared Diet as Organic Fertilizers on Growth and Survival of Larval Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, in Earthen Ponds

Abstract

Two agro-industrial by-products, rice bran (RB) and distillers dried solubles (DS), and a prepared diet (PD) were evaluated as organic fertilizers for the production of juvenile paddlefish in nine 0.02-ha earthen ponds over a 40-day culture period. Paddlefish yield from ponds fertilized with RB (209 kg/ha) was significantly greater (P≤0.05) than that from ponds fertilized with DS (129 kg/ha), but it was not significantly greater than yields from ponds fertilized with PD (258 kg/ha). Fish survival from ponds fertilized with PD (79%) was significantly higher than from ponds fertilized with RB (55%) or DS (50%). There was no significant difference in survival between ponds fertilized with RB and DS. Secchi disk visibilities in ponds fertilized with RB were significantly lower than in ponds fertilized with DS and PD. Relatively low Secchi disk visibilities in RB-fertilized ponds were because of a brown stain or coloration which reduced sunlight penetrationa and growth of filamentous algai, not observed in Ds- or PD-fertilized ponds. Larvae congregated in areas where PD was being applied, whcih suggested direct feeding on PD. Paddlefish did not respond when RB and DS were applied to ponds. Cost per juvenile paddlefish raised in ponds fertilized with RB was $0.004, cheaper than $0.011 for fish raised in ponds fertilized with PD or DS. Rice bran is the recommended agro-industrial by-product to raise juvenile paddlefish greater than 120 mm total length based on improved fish yields, pond water quality, and lower cost per fish. The prepared diet may be used not only as an organic fertilizer, but also as a supplemental feed.