Effect of stocking density on growth of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) cultured in containers in a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (C-RAS)

To study the effect of different stocking densities on the growth of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) cultured in containers in a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (C-RAS), 13,500 fish with initial average body mass of 137.3 +/- 5.46 g were selected and stocked at 1000 fish/container (group 50 fish/m(3)), 1500 fish/container (group 75 fish/m(3)) or 2000 fish/container (group 100 fish/m(3)), with three replicates for each group. Thirty fish were randomly collected from each container on Days 30, 60 and 90 for measurement and analysis. The final body mass, body mass gain rate, daily body mass gain, final body length, body length growth rate and daily body length growth in group 50 fish/m(3) were significantly higher than those in groups 75 fish/m(3) and 100 fish/m(3) (p < 0.05). The relationship between body mass and body length followed a power function, with R-2 values of 0.9968, 0.9896 and 0.9902 respectively. Based on our comprehensive analysis, the largemouth bass in this study grew fastest at the density of 50 fish/m(3). As the first study of the effect of stocking density on growth of largemouth bass in a C-RAS, these results provide a reference for aquaculture using the relatively new C-RAS system.

Automated summary

The study found that largemouth bass grew fastest at a density of 50 fish/m(3) in a land-based recirculating aquaculture system, with a power function relationship between body length and body weight. These results provide important reference for aquaculture using the C-RAS system.