Profiles of Presently Cultured Species in Ohio Geoff Wallat The Ohio State University Center 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 are not grown in ponds because they are not allowed to be by ODNR.

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 8,000 0.02 0.5-1 --- 30 20- 15 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- 15 3,200 0.5-1.5 5 --- 30 15- 10 1,600 5 20 0.5 30 10 - 7 1,000 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) here at OSU we found through research that a stocking density of 3, 000 lbs./ acre produces more fish of a marketable size than a higher density of 5, 0000 lbs./ acre. Temps. warmer than 78 degrees causes a slow down in feeding behavior Perch are harvested by pulling a sein through the pond and draining the pond.

Size variability in yellow perch – Year 1 FT fingerlings

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

Growth of strains at ambient temperature (Fry to harvest size) Nursery + Feeding training Experiment period b c z z y

Grading Study – 1st year culture Weight gain over time

Grading Study Length gain over time

DUAL SPECIES Food 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)

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

Recent Article – Genetic Selection Texas aims for bigger largemouth bass State 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.“

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 They grow at 55 to 80 degrees F and spawn at 75 – 80. They spawn in the spring and build nests.

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 $$$ Optimal temps in high 60’s to 70’s Both cool tolerant Both species are most commonly cultured in ponds –RAS is growing Market size for goldfish is 1 – 6 inches as feeders or bait Fancy goldfish and koi 3 – 12 inches Koi will spawn at 65 degrees F or higher and do so in the spring Goldfish spawn above 60 degrees F and do so repeatedly from May to June Feeder fish (goldfish) are 1 to 2 inches in length $$$

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 Popular ponds plants are: Hornwort, Dwarf Cattails, Dwarf Papyrus, Yellow Iris, Water lilies, Water lettuce, Water hyacinth. Bull fogs are the most common type of frogs to be grown in Ohio. Trapdoor snails are the most common snails being grown in Ohio for ponds use.

General Hardiness / Culture in RAS Easier ** I Challenging Very challenging 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!