Rainbow Trout Cage Culture Utilizing Different Strains, Stocking Densities, and Feeding Methods in Eastern South Dakota Dugout Ponds

Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) cage culture techniques were investigated in dugouts as part of a continuing program to evaluate the potential of small-scale, landowner-based aquaculture operations. Trout raised in the study did not reach a marketable size (200 g) due to the short growing season and small size at stocking. No significant (P >0.05) differences in growth were detected between stocking densities of 60, 80, 100, and 120 fish/m³. Demand feeding resulted in significantly greater length (P≤0.01), weight (P≤0.01), and relative weight (P≤0.05) than hand feeding in both years tested. Rainbow trout of the Hildebrand strain reached a significantly greater (P≤0.01) length, weight, and relative weight than those of the Growth or Kamloops strains. Hildebrand strain rainbow trout also had significantly (P≤0.01) better food conversion ratios than the other two strains. Due to the short growing season it is not economically feasible to raise rainbow trout in eastern South Dakota dugouts at this time. It is recommended that further trout culture work be centered on more heat tolerant strains.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1987

Author dc:creator

• Maher, Jay Patrick

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/169

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1169