1. Profiles of Presently Cultured Species in Ohio
Geoff Wallat
The Ohio State University
Center for Aquaculture Development

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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

5. Food Fish Choices: Tilapia Trout Yellow Perch Bluegill
Bass species – LM, Hybrid stripers
Marine

6. 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.

7. Tilapia Ohio markets are almost exclusively live sale markets
Asian grocery markets
Competition from
overseas is very tough
in the filet market

8. 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, 3, 1, 1,
______________________________________________
TOTAL 270 days
SOURCE: SRAC Fact Sheet on Tilapia

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Size variability in yellow perch – Year 1 FT fingerlings

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

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

14. Grading Study – 1st year culture Weight gain over time

15. Grading Study Length gain over time

16. DUAL SPECIES Food or Sport Fish
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
Trout
Bluegill
Hybrid Striped Bass

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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

20. Average Length and Weight by Age for Largemouth Bass in Illinois (natural waters)
Age in Years ___
Length in Inches
Weight in Pounds
Age in Years ___
Length in Inches
Weight in Pounds
SOURCE:

21. 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.“

22. 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.

23. 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

24. Bait Choices: Minnows- Fathead, Chubs, Bluntnose
Shiners- Spotfin (Shawn) , Golden and Emerald
Goldfish
others

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Ornamental Choices:
Goldfish
Koi
Photo: courtesy of aquariumfish.net

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

30. Goldfish (red Orandas)
Nutrition

31. 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.

32. 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

33. 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!