Rearing Huso huso in earthen ponds and fiberglass tanks

Abstract

Juvenile Huso huso with average weight of 28.76±0.35 were reared in fiberglass tanks and earthen ponds for 29 weeks in order to examine potential of rearing of the fish for meat production purposes. Fish in fiberglass tanks showed weight increase up to 584.17 grams in 200 days and produced 6 kg of biomass per liter. Survival ratio, food conversion ratio and specific growth rate were measured as 98.4%, 2.21 and 1.41 (% per day) for the fish respectively. During the experiment period, H. huso reared in the earthen ponds reached a weight of 708 grams and produced 1.5 kg of biomass per liter. The survival rate, food conversion ratio and specific growth rate for the fish cultured in the earthen ponds were 85.7%, and 1.32 and 1.69 (% per day). Based on the results, the fiberglass tanks provided better growth condition in the beginning of the experiment. However, in later stages of rearing the trend was reversed and fish reared in earthen ponds showed more suitable condition although no statistically significant differences between treatments were found (p>0.05). Growth pattern of fish was highly influenced by rearing condition (p<0.05). Compared to the fish weight in fiberglass tanks (584.17 gr), H. huso weight in earthen pond (708 gr) improved a lot especially after adaptation to concentrated food (p<0.05).