Effect of Photoperiod on Growth and Feed Efficiency of Fingerling Walleye

Abstract

We examined the effect of photoperiod on growth and feed efficiency of fingerling walleyes Sander vitreus cultured in a water reuse aquaculture system in northern Illinois from fall to late winter. We evaluated three photoperiod regimens over 24-h days: continuous light (24 h), 18-h light, and 12-h light. Twelve, 0.55-m³ tanks (four/treatment) were each stocked with 100 feed-trained walleyes (10.9 kg/m³; 196–203 mm total length, 61–66 g in weight). Survival over the 131-d culture interval was greater than 98.8% in all photoperiod treatments. All measures of growth were significantly slower and feeding efficiency was lower for fish in the 12 h of light treatment than for the 24-h and 18-h light treatments. Differences in performance between the 24-h and 18-h treatments were not significant, but all measures of growth and feed efficiency were higher for fish in continuous light than in the 18-h group. The findings support use of continuous, in-tank lighting for intensive culture of fingerlings walleye.

Received February 6, 2012; accepted June 1, 2012