Effect of Winter Feeding of Channel Catfish on Plankton Composition in Experimental Ponds.
Peter Perschbacher, Gerald Ludwig and Adam Nanninga

Evaluation of algae and chlorophyll a and zooplankton in a winter feeding study in 10, 0.025-acre UAPB experimental ponds was completed. Although algal numbers were significantly greater and approximately twice as high in fed ponds, chlorophyll a was not different. Thus algae in fed ponds were smaller than in unfed. Proportions of various algal groups did not significantly differ, although dominant diatoms were 6% higher in fed ponds.Geosmin producing Anabaena and Pseudanabaena) did not significantly differ, although occurrences did-in 22.2% and 37.8% of samples in fed and unfed, respectively. Zooplankton did not significantly differ by treatments. As expected, rotifers were most abundant, followed by copepods, nauplii, and cladocerans. 

Effect of Winter Feeding of Channel Catfish on Benthos in Commercial Ponds and Experimental Ponds.
Peter Perschbacher and Martin Matute

Weekly sampling of benthos from core sampling, started in late December in 3 commercial catfish ponds on each of four farms and in 10, 0.025-acre experimental ponds with differing feeding practices.  Benthic samples from commercial ponds were examined for possible overwintering, off-flavor algae “spores” and to determine dominant organisms. No spores, as seen in late summer plankton samples, were detected. 

Analysis of benthic organisms is beginning with nematodes and in the experimental ponds. Aquatic nematodes are an important and integral part of the benthic food web occupying all trophic levels and are also indicators of environmental conditions or water quality. The no-fed ponds had 3.9x more nematodes than the fed ponds in terms of absolute abundance and 4.1x, 4.2x, 4.3x, 4.4x, and 1.5x, respectively, more bacterivorous, fungivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous nematodes, than the fed ponds. This data will be statistically analyzed and then correlated with some physico-chemical parameters, e.g pH, temperature, etc.

Paddlefish, in Combination with Water Circulators, Effects on Phytoplankton in Experimental Catfish Production Ponds.
Bart Green and Peter Perschbacher

Fingerling paddlefish were stocked in 0.025-acre UAPB experimental ponds in which either a Solar Bee^tm upweller or slow paddlewheel water circulator was installed. Control ponds were unstocked, but with circulators. Phytoplankton were sampled bimonthly from March through October and composition was determined. Results are being further analyzed. 

Paddlefish Ranching Effects on Plankton
Peter Perschbacher, Regina Edziyie and Bob Pierce

Eight control private ponds and 6 private ponds stocked with paddlefish were compared for effects on plankton. Sampling was monthly from May to October. Results were similar to mesocosm evaluations at UAPB. Total zooplankton were not different, however slight reductions were noted in all groups (except cladocerans) during one or more months. Phytoplankton numbers were 5 times lower in stocked ponds, as well as variability. No difference was found in composition, although variability was higher in unstocked ponds. More off-flavor and toxin producing species were encountered in unstocked ponds. 

Phytoplankton Effects of Aquashade in Sunshine Bass Fry Ponds
Regina Edziyie, Peter Perschbacher and Gerald Ludwig

Aquashade was evaluated in 3 treatments and 9 experimental ponds at HKD Stuttgart USDA/ARS facility for reducing algae growths in sunshine bass fry ponds. Ponds were sampled from 19 May to 26 June and 2ppm Aquashade was added on 18 May (early treatment) and on 12 June (late treatment). Succession was greens to diatoms to bluegreens (Anabaena) to greens and diatoms. Late application reduced chlorophyll a. Both treatments reduced Anabaena and increased diatoms. Oxygen levels were little affected.