Effects of Loading Density on Golden Shiner Survival During and After Hauling
Philip R. Pearson, Brian C. Small, Rachel V. Beecham, Todd D. Sink, Susan B. LaBarre, and C. Douglas Minchew

The golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas is a popular baitfish used by anglers in the United States . These fish are raised in large outdoor culture ponds and are trucked to retail bait shops and wholesalers. Live golden shiners are typically transported in hauling tanks filled with fresh well water that is cooled by unchlorinated block ice and aerated with pure oxygen. Operators of trucks carrying live golden shiners usually transport about 120 to 180 grams of fish per liter of water. A study was conducted to determine if the weight of fish hauled per liter of water could be increased without causing large fish losses. Results of the study showed that golden shiners can be successfully hauled (greater than 99% survival) at weights as high as 240 grams of fish per liter of fresh well water chilled by unchlorinated block ice and aerated with pure oxygen. 

Impacts of Circulation and Paddlefish on Channel Catfish Production Pond Water Quality and Plankton Populations
Bartholomew Green, Peter Perschbacher, Gerald Ludwig, Kevin Schrader

The objective of this study was to determine the effect on channel catfish production pond water quality and plankton populations of water circulation and co-stocking of paddlefish, either alone or in combination. A low-RPM horizontal discharge circulator was operated continuously in circulator treatment ponds. All ponds were equipped with a ½-hp electric paddlewheel aerator, which were operated as needed to maintain pond dissolved oxygen concentrations. Ponds were stocked with stocker catfish at 4,500 lb/acre and understocked with fingerlings at 6,000/acre. Paddlefish fingerlings were stocked into paddlefish treatment ponds at 228 fish/acre. Fish were fed a 32% protein feed daily to apparent satiation. Channel catfish yield did not differ among treatments and averaged 12,774 lb/acre. Biweekly phytoplankton and zooplankton sample analyses and weekly water quality sample data analyses are underway. 

Production of Channel Catfish in a Bio-Floc System
Bartholomew Green

The effect of stocking rate on water quality and channel catfish growth and survival in an intensively managed bio-floc production system was evaluated. In a bio-floc production system, the phytoplankton and microbial biomasses suspended in the water column utilize dissolved ammonia nitrogen as their nitrogen source. Consequently, concentration of ammonia in the water, which is toxic to fish, generally is low. Channel catfish were stocked into 9 7,400-gal HDPE-lined rearing units at 100, 200, or 300 fish per rearing unit. Each unit was aerated continuously by diffused air. Fish were fed a 32% protein feed daily to apparent satiation. At harvest, fish yield increased linearly from 0.009 to 0.032 lb/gal as stocking rate increased from 100 to 300 fish per rearing unit. For comparison, catfish yield from ponds generally is 0.01 lb/gal or less. Average daily feed rate increased linearly from 0.0017 to 0.0040 oz/gal from the low to high stocking rates. Maximum daily feed rate was 0.0147 oz/gal. In catfish ponds, average daily feed rate generally is 0.002 oz/gal or less and the maximum feed rate generally is 0.004 oz/gal or less. Ammonia nitrogen concentration did not differ among the stocking rates tested and averaged 0.35 mg/L NH₃-N. This study demonstrated that channel catfish survive and grow well in a bio-floc system and that yield is greater than the yield from earthen ponds. 

Use of Microbial Transglutaminase and Non-meat Proteins to Improve Functional Properties of Low NaCl, Phosphate-free Patties Made from Channel Catfish Belly Flap Meat
Byungrok Min and Bartholomew Green

This study was aimed at developing a value-added low sodium chloride (NaCl), phosphate-free patty using minced channel catfish belly flap meat. The effect of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and non-meat proteins (isolated soy protein, ISP and whey protein concentrate, WPC ) alone and in combination were evaluated in order to improve cooking yield and textural properties in patties with reduced NaCl and no phosphate. The concentration effect of MTGase was also studied. The addition of MTGase increased textural properties such as binding strength, hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and springiness, but decreased cooking yield of the patties (P<0.05). Isolated soy protein increased cooking yield (P<0.05), but did not affect the textural properties. Inclusion of WPC did not increase cooking yield or impact textural properties of patties. The combination of MTGase and ISP significantly increased both the cooking yield and textural properties of patties. As the concentration of MTGase increased at constant ISP , the textural properties of cooked patties significantly increased, but cooking yield decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that the combination of 0.05 ~ 0.1 % of MTGase with 1.7% ISP is the best to develop a low NaCl, phosphate-free patty using minced catfish belly flap meat.