1. Cage Culture of Hybrid Striped Bass LaDon Swann Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program LaDon Swann Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program

2. Cage Culture “is the cultivation of fish in existing water resources such as farm ponds,or barrow pits using small to large cages or net pens” to large cages or net pens” “is the cultivation of fish in existing water resources such as farm ponds,or barrow pits using small to large cages or net pens” to large cages or net pens”

3. TopicsTopics Advantages/DisadvantagesAdvantages/Disadvantages Site SelectionSite Selection Water QualityWater Quality Cage ConsiderationsCage Considerations Stocking Phase II & IIIStocking Phase II & III Feeds/FeedingFeeds/Feeding Advantages/DisadvantagesAdvantages/Disadvantages Site SelectionSite Selection Water QualityWater Quality Cage ConsiderationsCage Considerations Stocking Phase II & IIIStocking Phase II & III Feeds/FeedingFeeds/Feeding ManagementManagement DiseasesDiseases HarvestingHarvesting OverwinteringOverwintering MarketingMarketing EconomicsEconomics

5. AdvantagesAdvantages One of the only ways to grow fish for sale in large – deep ponds or lakes.One of the only ways to grow fish for sale in large – deep ponds or lakes. If ponds are owned then relatively low startup costs.If ponds are owned then relatively low startup costs. Good way to learn aquaculture at a small scale.Good way to learn aquaculture at a small scale. One of the only ways to grow fish for sale in large – deep ponds or lakes.One of the only ways to grow fish for sale in large – deep ponds or lakes. If ponds are owned then relatively low startup costs.If ponds are owned then relatively low startup costs. Good way to learn aquaculture at a small scale.Good way to learn aquaculture at a small scale.

6. DisadvantagesDisadvantages Water quality may be harder to manageWater quality may be harder to manage Higher potential for disease outbreakHigher potential for disease outbreak Vandalism is easierVandalism is easier Water quality may be harder to manageWater quality may be harder to manage Higher potential for disease outbreakHigher potential for disease outbreak Vandalism is easierVandalism is easier

7. Site Selection At least one Surface AcreAt least one Surface Acre Average depth of 4 ft.Average depth of 4 ft. No more than 10 acre watershed perNo more than 10 acre watershed per acre of water.acre of water. No direct access by livestockNo direct access by livestock No chronic problems with weeds.No chronic problems with weeds. No silt or pesticide runoff.No silt or pesticide runoff. At least one Surface AcreAt least one Surface Acre Average depth of 4 ft.Average depth of 4 ft. No more than 10 acre watershed perNo more than 10 acre watershed per acre of water.acre of water. No direct access by livestockNo direct access by livestock No chronic problems with weeds.No chronic problems with weeds. No silt or pesticide runoff.No silt or pesticide runoff.

8. Water Quality TemperatureTemperature –70ºF+ Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen –4 ppm+ NitritesNitrites –<10ppm pH 6.5-9.0pH 6.5-9.0 TemperatureTemperature –70ºF+ Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen –4 ppm+ NitritesNitrites –<10ppm pH 6.5-9.0pH 6.5-9.0 TurbidityTurbidity –Around 24” AlkalinityAlkalinity –40 ppm+ AmmoniaAmmonia –<1ppm

9. Cage Considerations InvestmentInvestment Management AidManagement Aid –Observation –Feeding –Treatment InvestmentInvestment Management AidManagement Aid –Observation –Feeding –Treatment Design – MaterialsDesign – Materials HarvestHarvest OverwinteringOverwintering

10. Cage Construction FloatationFloatation MeshMesh –1/8 to 1/4 for Phase I (1-2”) –3/4 for Phase II (6-8”) Feeding RingFeeding Ring FloatationFloatation MeshMesh –1/8 to 1/4 for Phase I (1-2”) –3/4 for Phase II (6-8”) Feeding RingFeeding Ring

11. Cage Placement in Pond Cages should be placed where water can move freely between cages and circulate away from immediate area of cages.

12. Stocking Phase II Stock 1-3 in. fingerlings.Stock 1-3 in. fingerlings. Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher.Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher. Stock around 25-35 fingerlings per ft3.Stock around 25-35 fingerlings per ft3. Stock 1-3 in. fingerlings.Stock 1-3 in. fingerlings. Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher.Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher. Stock around 25-35 fingerlings per ft3.Stock around 25-35 fingerlings per ft3.

13. Stocking Phase III In the Midwest need to stock AT LEAST a 6” fingerling with an 8 in. fingerling preferred.In the Midwest need to stock AT LEAST a 6” fingerling with an 8 in. fingerling preferred. Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher.Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher. Stock 6-8 fingerlings per ft3.Stock 6-8 fingerlings per ft3. In the Midwest need to stock AT LEAST a 6” fingerling with an 8 in. fingerling preferred.In the Midwest need to stock AT LEAST a 6” fingerling with an 8 in. fingerling preferred. Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher.Stock when water temperature is 55oF or higher. Stock 6-8 fingerlings per ft3.Stock 6-8 fingerlings per ft3.

14. FeedsFeeds Phase II ProductionPhase II Production –Non floating –Crumble size particle –40% CP or greater Phase II ProductionPhase II Production –Non floating –Crumble size particle –40% CP or greater Phase III ProductionPhase III Production –Floating pellets –36% CP acceptable

15. FeedingFeeding Phase IIPhase II –Feed often and plenty –Hand feeding or automatic feeders Phase IIIPhase III –Morning and afternoon best –Hand feeding most common Phase IIPhase II –Feed often and plenty –Hand feeding or automatic feeders Phase IIIPhase III –Morning and afternoon best –Hand feeding most common Fish Feed

16. ManagementManagement Grading of Phase II fingerlingsGrading of Phase II fingerlings Predator ControlPredator Control Weed Control in PondsWeed Control in Ponds Algae Control on CagesAlgae Control on Cages Grading of Phase II fingerlingsGrading of Phase II fingerlings Predator ControlPredator Control Weed Control in PondsWeed Control in Ponds Algae Control on CagesAlgae Control on Cages

17. DiseasesDiseases Columnaris early in theColumnaris early in the season or from handling stress. Gill FlukesGill Flukes Cannibalism amongCannibalism among Phase II fish Columnaris early in theColumnaris early in the season or from handling stress. Gill FlukesGill Flukes Cannibalism amongCannibalism among Phase II fish

18. HarvestingHarvesting If fish are stocked in AprilIf fish are stocked in April then should be market size by late October. Forewarned is forearmed…Forewarned is forearmed… Be prepared!! If fish are stocked in AprilIf fish are stocked in April then should be market size by late October. Forewarned is forearmed…Forewarned is forearmed… Be prepared!!

19. OverwinteringOverwintering Success depends onSuccess depends on condition of fish after harvesting and possible harvesting and possible winter kills. Blowers will keep iceBlowers will keep ice from around the cages. Success depends onSuccess depends on condition of fish after harvesting and possible harvesting and possible winter kills. Blowers will keep iceBlowers will keep ice from around the cages.

20. MarketingMarketing Market size is at leastMarket size is at least 1.5 lbs for Phase III fish. Phase II minimum of 6”.Phase II minimum of 6”. Hope you don’t expect moreHope you don’t expect more than $2-3/lb for 1.5 lb fish. Market size is at leastMarket size is at least 1.5 lbs for Phase III fish. Phase II minimum of 6”.Phase II minimum of 6”. Hope you don’t expect moreHope you don’t expect more than $2-3/lb for 1.5 lb fish.

21. EconomicsEconomics Break-even price for 5,000 lb production was $1.27/lb.Break-even price for 5,000 lb production was $1.27/lb. Based on:Based on: –five acre pond –6 month production cycle –$75/100 six inch fingerlings –1,000 lbs per acre yield Break-even price for 5,000 lb production was $1.27/lb.Break-even price for 5,000 lb production was $1.27/lb. Based on:Based on: –five acre pond –6 month production cycle –$75/100 six inch fingerlings –1,000 lbs per acre yield –10% death loss –$25/cwt feed –2.0 FCR

22. SummarySummary Cage culture of hybrid striped bass allows large or deep ponds to be used for aquaculture which could not otherwise be used.Cage culture of hybrid striped bass allows large or deep ponds to be used for aquaculture which could not otherwise be used. It is a good way to learn aquaculture.It is a good way to learn aquaculture. Water quality is harder to control.Water quality is harder to control. Cage culture of hybrid striped bass allows large or deep ponds to be used for aquaculture which could not otherwise be used.Cage culture of hybrid striped bass allows large or deep ponds to be used for aquaculture which could not otherwise be used. It is a good way to learn aquaculture.It is a good way to learn aquaculture. Water quality is harder to control.Water quality is harder to control.