Growth of Largemouth Bass (LMB) as a food fish in Kentucky is constrained by a modest growing season. Th is study examines growth, feed consumption, and feed efficiency of LMB at temperatures occurring in the spring or fall in temperate regions . Data generated will be instrumental in developing a practical feeding protocol for Largemouth Bass to take advantage of growth potential throughout the year.
The study is being conducted over a 9-week study at the Aquaculture Research Center of Kentucky State University. Seven individual recirculating systems with each system comprised of four replicate aquarium tanks were randomly assigned a temperature treatment (9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27℃). Prior to stocking the experiment, individual Largemouth Bass (LMB) were injected with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT tag). Each tank was stocked with 10 feed-trained juvenile LMB (56.2 ± 0.8 g) and fed once daily by hand to apparent satiation with slow-sinking 6.5mm commercial trout feed (45% protein, 20% fat). Water quality is monitored to maintain conditions suitable for growth. The weight, length, and tag number for each fish will be recorded at the end of the study. Significant differences will be determined with One-Way ANOVA, and relationships described with regression analysis. The ongoing analysis of weekly feed consumption measurement reveals a n excellent fit between feed intake and water temperature . Full results from the study will be presented.