Preliminary Evaluation of the Australian Freshwater Fish Silver Perch, Bidyanus bidyanus, for Pond Culture

Abstract

Silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus, were stocked into two 0.4-ha earthen ponds at densities of 2,788 fish/ha (Pond 1) (mean weight = 7.4 g.) and 14,500 fish/ha (Pond 2) (mean weight = 2.5 g.). Fish were fed a commercial trout diet (50% protein) at daily rates of up to 3% body weight. Within 2 weeks after stocking, fish were feeding aggressively at and near the surface. In Ponds 1 and 2, survival rates were 97.5% and 73.5%, and mean weights were 116.5 g. and 202.o g. after 117 and 181 days, respectively. Water temperatures ranged from 22.0 and 31.3°. The food conversion ratio was 0.7 in both ponds. These results, achieved with no supplemental aeration or water exchange suggest that silver perch has potential for intensive culture in earthen ponds in Australia.