Kentucky State University
Growth, Survival, and Proximate Fillet Composition of Paddlefish Polyodon Spathula Fed Three Diets of Differing Protein Levels in Ponds
Institution
Kentucky State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Steven Mims; Richard Onders
Abstract
Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, is receiving increasing attention as an aquaculture species worldwide. Several European countries report propagation efforts along with China, Russia, and even Cuba. In addition, various states of the US in the native range of paddlefish propagate them for mitigation and sport fishing programs. Diverse culture methods have been reported, however, intensive culture requiring feed training and prepared diets will be necessary to provide juveniles in sufficient number to support aquaculture. In the wild, paddlefish consume large zooplankton captured by filter feeding; however, the nutritional requirements of paddlefish are not known. High protein trout diets are typically used to feed train and rear paddlefish in tanks, raceways, or ponds. In a previous study at Kentucky State University, we compared growth, survival and proximate fillet composition of paddlefish fed commercial trout or catfish diets with no differences in growth performance, survival, fillet moisture, or fillet protein. Fillet lipid content was higher in paddlefish fed the trout diet; however, both diets produced fillet lipid content higher than reported values for extensively cultured paddlefish. In this study, we compared growth, survival, and fillet composition of paddlefish fed three diets of 32%, 27%, and 22% protein.
Growth, Survival, and Proximate Fillet Composition of Paddlefish Polyodon Spathula Fed Three Diets of Differing Protein Levels in Ponds
Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, is receiving increasing attention as an aquaculture species worldwide. Several European countries report propagation efforts along with China, Russia, and even Cuba. In addition, various states of the US in the native range of paddlefish propagate them for mitigation and sport fishing programs. Diverse culture methods have been reported, however, intensive culture requiring feed training and prepared diets will be necessary to provide juveniles in sufficient number to support aquaculture. In the wild, paddlefish consume large zooplankton captured by filter feeding; however, the nutritional requirements of paddlefish are not known. High protein trout diets are typically used to feed train and rear paddlefish in tanks, raceways, or ponds. In a previous study at Kentucky State University, we compared growth, survival and proximate fillet composition of paddlefish fed commercial trout or catfish diets with no differences in growth performance, survival, fillet moisture, or fillet protein. Fillet lipid content was higher in paddlefish fed the trout diet; however, both diets produced fillet lipid content higher than reported values for extensively cultured paddlefish. In this study, we compared growth, survival, and fillet composition of paddlefish fed three diets of 32%, 27%, and 22% protein.