Evaluation of Yellow Perch GrowEvaluation of Yellow Perch Grow--out in a out in a

1919ooC RASC RAS

Gregory Fischer, Chris Hartleb, James Held, Kendall Holmes, SaraGregory Fischer, Chris Hartleb, James Held, Kendall Holmes, Sarah Kaatz, & h Kaatz, & Jeff MalisonJeff Malison

�Yellow Perch are an important commercially raised cool water fish in the Midwest.

�Raised for food markets and stocking uses in outdoor ponds and recirculating water systems.

�Fillet prices range from $18.70 to $37.40/kg depending on market.

�Market size within 12 months is desirable.

�Issues with initial larvae feeding for commercial rearing in RAS.

�Issues with cold water temperatures during winter for outdoor rearing in ponds.

HISTORYHISTORY

��Conduct pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of Conduct pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of combining early outdoor pond rearing with indoor RAS for combining early outdoor pond rearing with indoor RAS for yellow perch growyellow perch grow--out to meet the needs of the food fish out to meet the needs of the food fish market. market.

��NADF acquired Lake Mendota strain, pond raised, feed NADF acquired Lake Mendota strain, pond raised, feed trained, fingerling (trained, fingerling (avgavg 127 mm) yellow perch (127 mm) yellow perch (monosexmonosexfemale and mixed sex). female and mixed sex).

��Project conducted inside mainProject conducted inside mainAquatic Barn at NADF.Aquatic Barn at NADF.

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

49,394 L (13,000 gal)Grow-out system consisted of:

Culture tanks:Four 1.4m³ (1,500 L; 400 gal)Two 5.7 m³ (5,693 L; 1,500 gal)Two 10.8 m³ (10,757 L; 2,800 gal)

Drum filter, fluidized sand biofilter, carbon dioxide stripping column w/fan, oxygen cone and UV treatment unit.

Average water flow was 1,480 L/min. Average temperature 19ºC.

Replacement water 4.7 L/min (<1% Total flow)

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

�Tanks were partially covered with foam board.

�Fish were fed Nelson Silver Cup extruded feed (46% protein, 16% lipid) daily with automatic vibratory feeders.

�Photoperiod was controlled by timers and lights to provide 12-16 hours daily.

�Tanks were monitored daily.

�DO (mg/L), temperature (ºC), total dissolved gases (%) and pH were measured daily in each tank.

�Ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), Carbon Dioxide, TSS and reactive phosphorous (PO4) were measured weekly from water samples collected in the RAS sump.

�Yellow perch length and weights were measured monthly by obtaining 50 randomly sampled perch from each tank.

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

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ResultsMixed Sex Yellow Perch Water Quality and Mortality

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ResultsMono-sex Female Yellow Perch Water Quality and Mortality

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Monitoring Dates

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AMMONIA AS NITROGEN

ResultsMeasured Ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) and Nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N) in

the Yellow Perch RAS system

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Lake Mendota mono sex female

Results-Fish PerformanceLake Mendota Yellow Perch Mixed Sex and Mono-Sex

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Results-Fish PerformanceLake Mendota Yellow Perch Mixed Sex and Mono-sex

Monthly Weight Increase

ResultsResults--Fish PerformanceFish Performance

�Condition factors were considered excellent for both groups (monosex fish were 1.412 and 1.393 for mixed sex fish).

�Fillet yield averaged 47.8% for all groups.

�Tank densities at harvest were 26 kg/m³ for mixed sex fish and 44 kg/m³ for mono-sex fish.

�Total mortality was 28% for mixed sex fish and 0.6% for mono-sex fish.

ResultsResults--Estimated Production CostsEstimated Production Costs

�� The actual operating cost at NADF was $1,432/month based on an The actual operating cost at NADF was $1,432/month based on an electrical rate of $0.04/kw/hr. Average commercial rate in WI iselectrical rate of $0.04/kw/hr. Average commercial rate in WI is$.08/Kw/hr.$.08/Kw/hr.

�� This translates into $0.183/L and approximately $3,940 for 6.3 This translates into $0.183/L and approximately $3,940 for 6.3 months of operation for two 10,757 L (10.8 mmonths of operation for two 10,757 L (10.8 m33 ) tanks.) tanks.

�� Total of 919 kg of feed at an average cost of $970 ($1.06/kg) waTotal of 919 kg of feed at an average cost of $970 ($1.06/kg) was s used during the study.used during the study.

�� Total estimated production costs, not including capital & fingerTotal estimated production costs, not including capital & fingerling ling cost, was $4,910.cost, was $4,910.

�� Based on a market value of $5.50/kg(2.50/lb), the total approximBased on a market value of $5.50/kg(2.50/lb), the total approximate ate value of yellow perch raised in the system was $5,550.value of yellow perch raised in the system was $5,550.

Conclusion

�Lake Mendota mono-sex female yellow perch can potentially outperform Lake Mendota mixed sex yellow perch in a 19ºC RAS.

�127 mm (5 inch) fall pond fingerlings can be finished successfully for market in approximately 190 days (6 months) in a indoor RAS system.

�Additional research and replicated studies are needed to furtherinvestigate grow-out of various strains of yellow perch in RAS and the cost effectiveness of such systems.

We thank Bill West of Blue Iris Fish Farm for his involvement and interest in this project. Steve Nichols also provided helpful information concerning yellow perch in RAS systems. Brian Shepard, USDA/ARS provided comments and suggestions regarding the project and report. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of technician Dan Duffy and other personnel at the UWSP Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility for fish rearing and data collection.

This work was supported, in part, by a Specific Cooperative Agreement (#58-3655-6-116) under ARS/USDA CRIS #3655-31000-020-00D. The views contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA or UWSP and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable. This manuscript is submitted for publication with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes.

Acknowledgements

QUESTIONS??????????????QUESTIONS??????????????

Contact Information:Gregory Fischer, Facility Manager715-779-3461gfischer@uwsp.edu

NADF Webpage:http://aquaculture.uwsp.edu