Growth of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Reared in Tanks at Three Densities

Abstract

Juvenile (106-d-old) lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens were reared at three densities, 150, 300, and 450 fish/m2 (1.35, 2.5, and 3.75 kg/m2), for 5 weeks to determine if rearing density affected growth. Feeding rates of fish fed on chironomid larvae (72%, wet weight), brine shrimp Artemia sp. (8%), and euphausiids (krill, 20%) ranged from 15% to 34% body weight per day and varied with water temperature and diet. Food conversion (weight of food fed/weight gained) averaged 7.2 during the 5 weeks. Juvenile lake sturgeon increased in mean length from 127 to 169 mm (33%) and in mean weight from 8.5 to 21.1 g (147%). However, changes in length and weight did not differ significantly among the three rearing densities, and patterns of change in length and weight were consistent among the three rearing densities. We conclude that rearing densities of 150-450 fish/m2 (1.35-3.75 kg/m2) are equally acceptable for rearing lake sturgeon for stocking.