Comparison of production efficiency and quality of differently cultured pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) juveniles as a valuable product for ongrowing culture

Production efficiency, frequency of fin erosion, skeletal and gill covers deformities, proximal composition of fish body with special emphasis on fatty acid contents in liver and muscle, oxidative stress and antioxidant response in gill, liver, muscle and intestine were analyzed and compared in exclusively RAS- and POND-cultured juveniles and juveniles produced with the combination of POND and RAS aquaculture in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) with final body weight between 8.5 and 9.5 g. Higher production efficiency, lower fin erosion, no morphological deformities, higher level of essential fatty acids and lower oxidative stress were found in POND-RAS- and POND-cultured juveniles compared to exclusively RAS-produced pikeperch. This study showed that intensive pikeperch juvenile production still needs next technological innovations. On the other hand, the combination of POND-RAS aquaculture has provided a good potential to be an alternative production system producing high-quality juveniles for intensive or pond ongrowing culture mainly in countries with large pond area.