Preliminary studies of intensive wels catfish (Silurus glanis L.) and sturgeon (Acipenser sp.) pond cultivation [SHORT COMMUNICATION]

Abstract

Studies were conducted on intensive monoculture and polyculture of wels catfish and sturgeon in ponds. The initial average body weight of the fish in monoculture and polyculture was similar (wels catfish – approximately 100 g; sturgeon - approximately 720 g), and the biomass was equal in each pond (approximately 30.7 kg). The fish were fed trout granulate for two months. The final survival rate was the same in both the monoculture and polyculture (wels catfish - 99.5%; sturgeon - 100%). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the fish growth in monoculture and polyculture. Wels catfish grew faster in polyculture, with an average body weight of 349.1 g and a specific growth rate (SGR) of 2.0 % day^-1. In monoculture these figures were 276.1 g and 1.6 % day^-1, respectively. Sturgeon grew faster in monoculture, with an average body weight of 1229.2 g, and an SGR of 0.86 % day^-1, while in polyculture these values were 854.2 g and 0.28 % day^-1, respectively. The intensive cultivation of wels catfish with sturgeon in pond polyculture influenced their growth, but not survival rates.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Mgr inż. Dariusz Ulikowski, Instytut Rybactwa Śródlądowego, Doświadczalny Ośrodek Zarybieniowy „Dgał“, Pieczarki 50, 11-610 Pozezdrze; Tel. +48 (87) 428 36 66; e-mail: ulikowski@infish.com.pl