Profiles of Presently Cultured Species in Ohio

Geoff Wallat

The Ohio State UniversityCenter for Aquaculture Development

General Considerations

• What do I like?

• (more) What do my customers want?

• What prices can I expect from my markets?

• How much experience do I have?

General Considerations

• How much money do I have to start this up?

• How much additional money can I put into this?

• HOW MUCH AM I GOING TO MAKE?

Species Growth Rates

• Genetics• Water quality / environment (tank

tolerance)• Age of fish• Stress• Husbandry practices• Diet

Formulated or prepared feeds v. natural foods- Costs associated with

Food Fish Choices:

• Tilapia

• Trout

• Yellow Perch

• Bluegill

• Bass species – LM, Hybrid stripers

• Marine

Tilapia (Nile perch)

• Grow in warm water 75 – 85 degrees F

• Market size is 1.25 – 2.0 lbs.

• Must be grown in warm water will die at temperatures below 55 degrees F

• RAS production used (in Ohio)

Tilapia

• Ohio markets are almost exclusively live sale markets– Asian grocery markets

• Competition from

overseas is very tough

in the filet market

Tilapia Growth Rates

Stocking Rate Growth Growth Feed Rate

Weight (g) Rate Period (%)(number/m3) Initial Final (g/day) (days)

8,000 0.02 0.5-1 --- 30 20- 153,200 0.5-1.5 5 --- 30 15- 101,600 5 20 0.5 30 10 - 71,000 20 50 1.0 30 7- 4 500 50 100 1.5 30 4 -3.5 200 100 250 2.5 50 3.5- 1.5 100 250 450 3.0 70 1.5 - 1.0______________________________________________

TOTAL 270 days

SOURCE: SRAC Fact Sheet on Tilapia

Trout

• Optimum temp. 50 – 60 degrees F

• Market size is from 0.75 to 1.5 lbs.

• Also as a sport fish• Common production

methods are raceways, some RAS

Photo: AquaNIC website- Shedd Aquarium

Yellow Perch

• Optimum temp. 72 -74 degrees F

• Reach market size in 18 months in ponds

• Market size is 8.5 inches• Stocking density is most

productive at 3,000 lbs/ acre v. 5,000 lbs/acre (OSU research)

Size variability in yellow perch – Year 1 FT fingerlings

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Growth of Different Strains at 22 oC – Combined 2004 and 2005 data

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DUAL SPECIESFood or Sport Fish

• Largemouth Bass• Yellow Perch• Trout • Bluegill• Hybrid Striped Bass

Largemouth Bass

• Optimum growing temp. 55 – 80 degrees F

• Market size is from 1.25 to 2.5 lbs

• Pond culture is the most common method for them

• Increased interest for RAS

Photo: AquaNIC website- LaDon Swann

Largemouth Bass

• May take 3 years to reach market size in ponds– Last ¼ to ½ pound add from 1 lb to 1.5 lb. is

sllooooww.

• Tank RAS culture 12 to 18 months– Some reporting 9 months minimum– Size of fingerlings (general comment)

Age and Growth of Alabama's Bass (natural waters)

James J. McHugh District IV Fisheries Supervisor

For Alabama Reservoirs,Average Bass Length (inches) At Various Ages

Age 1 2 3 4 5

           

LMB 6.9 10.6 13.3 15.4 17.2

           

Spotted Bass

5.8 10.0 13.1 15.2 16.9

Average Length and Weight by Age for Largemouth Bass in Illinois (natural waters)

Age in Years 1 2 3 4 5 ___

Length in Inches 6.3 9.0 11.6 13.5 15.8

Weight in Pounds 0.1 0.4 0.8 1.1 2.0

Age in Years 6 7 8 9 10___

Length in Inches 17.4 18.9 19.8 20.3 20.7

Weight in Pounds 2.5 3.0 4.0 5.0 5.5

SOURCE: http://www.ifishillinois.org/science/species/LMB_spec.htm

Texas aims for bigger largemouth bassState has yet to crack 20-pound mark

By DOUG PIKE Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

TPWD's Operation World Record, a 2005 offshoot from its hatchery program, is a 14-year project to determine whether offspring of exceptional bass grow faster and fatter than the young of average bass. Scientists are confident in the outcome, but they want proof. "Growth rates have been amazing," Hodge said. "They're much bigger than you'd expect for 1-year-old fish.“

Recent Article – Genetic Selection

Bluegill and Hybrid bluegill

• Averages 8 inches in length at market

• Can tolerate warmer temperatures

• A popular pan fish• Research shows male

bluegill grow faster and larger than females, and hybrids

Striped Bass

• A warm water fish that grow in 72 – 80 degree F water

• Market size from 1.5 – 3.5 lbs.

• Cultured in ponds, recirculating systems, and cages

Bait Choices:

• Minnows- Fathead, Chubs, Bluntnose

• Shiners- Spotfin (Shawn) , Golden and Emerald

• Goldfish

• others

Minnows

• Spawn at 65 degrees and grow at 70 degrees F

• Most common production method is in ponds

• Grown 2 to 4 inches in length

Golden Shiners

• Spawn at 65 degrees and grow at 70 degrees F

• Most common

production method

is in ponds• 3 to 6 inches in length• Recent devlp. Tank spawning and hatching

of eggs in tanks, move to outdoor ponds• Ohio climate gives shorter growing period

Chubs

• Hornyhead, also known as redtail• Popular bait species in WI and MN• Rare in Ohio• Research at OSU• Prefer flowing water- Gravel stream beds- Artificial tank spawning conducted in MN

successfully

Ornamental Choices:

• Goldfish• Koi

Photo: courtesy of aquariumfish.net

Goldfish and Koi

• Optimal temps in high 60’s to 70’s

• Both cool tolerant• Both species are most

commonly cultured in ponds –RAS is growing

• Market size for goldfish is 1 – 6 inches as feeders or bait• Fancy goldfish and koi

3 – 12 inches

$$$

Goldfish (red Orandas)

• Nutrition

Aquatic Plants and Others:

• Ornamental pond plants

• Water hyacinth• Water chestnut• Water Lillies• Check with DNR regs

about invasive/exotic status first

General Hardiness / Culture in RAS

Easier **

I

I

Challenging

I

I

Very challenging

I

I

Almost impossible

Tilapia, goldfish, koi

Baitfish species

Bluegill, Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Trout, Hybrid Stripers

Blue Whales

In closing – Mom’s speech

• Research your markets

• Research species life history, biology, nutrition, genetics

• Develop marketing and business plans

• Talk to specialists, and visit other farms

• Go to conferences OAA February 9, 2007

• Then you can start!