Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

An operators’ guide to the management arrangements 1 September 2015 – 31 August 2016.

Biodiversity And You., Garth Woodruff

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Tiger Salamanders Disappearing In Region, Dennis M. Ferraro

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

"Where have all the salamanders gone?" 'This is a question I have been increasingly asked over the past five to six years from area residents. It seems we are observing a dramatic population decline of the western barred tiger salamander in parts of Southeast Nebraska. The western barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) is one of only two salamanders in Nebraska. Over the past two years, none have been found in southeast Nebraska.

Salamanders, like all amphibians, are excellent indicator species. In many cases they act like the iconic canary in the mine shaft, telling us when to run …

Hepatic Transcriptomic And Metabolic Responses Of Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis × Morone Chrysops) To Acute And Chronic Hypoxic Insult, Benjamin H. Beck, S. Adam Fuller, Bartholomew W. Green, Honggang Zhao, Steven D. Rawles, Carl D. Webster, Eric Peatman

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis), white bass (Morone chrysops), and their hybrid are an important group of fish prized for recreational angling in the United States, and there and abroad as a high-value farmed fish. Regardless of habitat, it is not uncommon for fish of the genus Morone to encounter and cope with conditions of scarce oxygen availability. Previously, we determined that hybrid striped bass reared under conditions of chronic hypoxia exhibited reduced feed intake, lower lipid and nutrient retention, and poor growth. To better understand the molecular mechanisms governing these phenotypes, in the present study, we examined the …

Hepatic Transcriptomic And Metabolic Responses Of Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis × Morone Chrysops) To Acute And Chronic Hypoxic Insult, Benjamin H. Beck, S. Adam Fuller, Chao Li, Bartholomew W. Green, Honggang Zhao, Steven D. Rawles, Carl D. Webster, Eric Peatman

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis), white bass (Morone chrysops), and their hybrid are an important group of fish prized for recreational angling in the United States, and there and abroad as a high-value farmed fish. Regardless of habitat, it is not uncommon for fish of the genus Morone to encounter and cope with conditions of scarce oxygen availability. Previously, we determined that hybrid striped bass reared under conditions of chronic hypoxia exhibited reduced feed intake, lower lipid and nutrient retention, and poor growth. To better understand the molecular mechanisms governing these phenotypes, in the present study, we …

Optimal Feeding Time And Duration Of Hybrid Crappie Kept Indoors, Wiles N. Brandon, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Thomas R. Omara-Alwala

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Crappie (Pomoxis spp.) is a popular sport fish with food fish potential. Feeding behavioral patterns should be considered prior to nutrtitional studies. The objective of this study was to determine the best feeding time and duration for hybrid crappie raised in indoor recirculating aquaculture systems. Three feeding treatments with three replciates consisted of two 12 hour feeding periods initiated at 0800 (12h-amLD) and 1700 (12h-pmLD) and a 24 feeding period started at 0800 (24h-amLD). Treatments in experimental tanks were arranged in a random block design and stocked with 14 hybrid fingerlings fed for 12 weeks. Fingerling fish were spwaned in …

The Size Relationship Of 12 Days Post-Exodus Larvae With 56 Day Post-Exodus Fingerlings Regarding Growth And Survival In Bluegill (Lempomis Macrochirus), J.L. Schulte, James E. Wetzel

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Low survival and quality of early life-stage bluegill is an obstacle to viable production where size may influence weaning efficiency. Herein, we investigate through two trials the effects of fry size 12-d post-exodus on total length, weight, production and survival through 56-d post-exodus. Full sibling broods (trial 1=10, trial 2=6) were reared with feedings of brine shrimp Artemia sp. nauplii (BS) through 12-d post-exodus (PE). Broods of trial 1 were visual sorted 12 d PE into small and large size groups. Fry (n = 25) from each size group were sampled for measured total length (TL) and weight. Starting 14 …

Biweekly Growth Characteristics Of Juvenile Bluegill Fed Different Protein Diets, Wiles N. Brandon, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Yongfang Zhang, Thomas R. Omara-Alwala

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

This study evaluated growth rates of juvenile bluegill (Lepomis macrochius) fed different protein levels, raised indoors. Six experimental diets containing protein levels of 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, and 47% with 346 kcal/g energy were fed to four replicates of 12 fish with initial mean weight of 24.9±0.51g. Fish were fed by hand to satiation three times daily for 16 weeks. Percent weight gain, for fish fed 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, and 47% protein diets were 180.5±43.8, 203.6±32.33, 256.4±19.4, 235.8±20.63, 249.1±19.59, and 275.2±47.3, and specific growth rates 0.91±0.15, 0.98±0.10, 1.13±0.05, 1.08±0.05, 1.11±0.05, and 1.17±0.11, respectively for the study. Biweekly …

The Effects Of Dietary Protein-To-Energy Ratio On Juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) Growth With Observations Of Sexual Dimorphism, K. Vandeloecht, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Yongfang Zhang, T.R. Omara-Alwala

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Bluegill is a promising aquaculture species in the Midwest. males are typically larger than females. However, there is little or no information on nutritional differences between sexes and protein-to-energy ratio. The objective of this study was to characterize the protein-to-energy ratio in juvenile bluegill with observations on gender differences. Bluegill (20-30g) were fed diets consisting of 35% protein with 14, 16, and 18% lipids and 38% protein with 12, 14, and 16% lipids. Four replicates of 12 fish each were fed the diets for 16 weeks. Terminal mean body weights, lengths, liver wights, visceral weights, hepatic somatics indices (HSI), and …

The Distribution Of Α-Amylase Activity Along The Digestive Tract Of Juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) And Its Comparison With Selected Fish Species, Namrata Giri, Yongfang Zhang, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Thomas R. Omara-Alwala

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Carbohydrates are the least expensive form of dietary energy for animals. Although fish don't have specific requirements for dietary carbohydrates, they must be provided with the appropriate levels of carbohydrates in their diets. Moderate levels of carbohydrate could support fishs' better growth performance and may decrease the use of the more expensive protein and lipids in the diet. Different fish have different ability to utilize digestible carbohydrates, which may relate to the relative amount of amylase activity present in the digestive system of the various species. α-amylase is a key enzyme for carbohydrate digestion. Bluegill, an important forage and recreational …

Amino Acid Profiles In The Tissues Of Juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) From The Wild And Commercially-Fed Fish, Yongfang Zhang, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Namrata Giri, James E. Wetzel

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Amino acid profiles of fish tissues and fish eggs have been extensively investigated in some fish species. Amino acid profiles are helpful in quantifying the indispensable amino acid requirements for these fish. Bluegill is a major forage fish for the largemouth bass (Micropterus samoides) and an important recreational fish throughout the US. The demand for bleugill as a food fish has increased recently. However, the information on the amino acid profiles of its eggs and tissues is lacking. The objectve of this study was to determine the amino acid profiles of the muscles and whole body of the 1-2 g …

Effects Of Soybean Meal Substitution For Fish Meal In Diets Of Juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochrius), K. Stuckenschneider, A. Allen, A. Weckenborg, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Bluegill has potential for production as a food fish. Feed is 40-60% of total production costs. Few studies have been conducted on bluegill replacing fish meal with soybean meal, which is a less expensive plant protein source. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of 25, 50, 75% soybean meal substitution of fish meal protein in juvenile bluegill diets. Treatments consisted of a 38% crude protein control diet, and diets with 25, 50, and 75% of fish meal replaced with soybean meal (SB Sub). All diets were insonitrogenous and isocaloric. A completely randomized block design was used …

The Effect Of Dietary Protein Level On The Growth Performance And Digestive Protease Activity In Juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochrius), Yongfang Zhang, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Thomas R. Omara-Alawla

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

A 16-week feeding experiment was conducting in an indoor recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to determine the effects of dietary protein level on the growth and digestive protease activity in juvenile bluegills. Six isocaloric experimental diets were forumalted with 32%, 35%, 38%, 41%, 44%, and 47% levels of protein. Menhdaen fish meal was use as the sole protein source. Juvenile bluegills of 24.91 ± 0.50 g initial weight were distributed into 24 151 L tanks with 12 fish each. Each diet had four replications. Fish were fed to satiation three times a day by hand. At the termination, there no mortalities …

Growth Rate Of Copepods In The San Francisco Bay, Brooke Bemowski, Wim Kimmerer, Toni Ignoffo

STAR Program Research Presentations

The San Francisco Estuary is a complex ecosystem. A key part of the foodweb are zooplankton crustaceans, specifically copepods. Many fish, especially the endangered delta smelt, rely on copepods as a food source. Measuring the growth of copepods assists in predictions if enough food is available for delta smelt. Traditionally growth rate is measured through lengthy and involved processes. The objective of this research project is to develop an imaging process to analyze biomass of copepods more efficiently. For this research, field samples of copepods were collected and grown over three days. Subsamples were taken and preserved at three predetermined …

Effects Of Chemical Preservatives On Weights And Lengths Of Bluegill Larvae, Scott M. Welch, Gregory A. Dudenhoeffer, Thomas R. Omara-Alawla

Cooperative Extension Research Publications

Measuring the lenghts and weights of live fish larvae can be tedious and time-consuming. This constraint could be alleviated by preserving the fish larvae in appropriate chemicals for later measurements. There is little or no information on the effects of preservatives on Bluegill larvae. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of five different common preservatives on Bluegill larvae. Individual weights and lengths of fish were measured and then the larvae were preserved for 7 or 26 days. Preservatives were 5% formalin, 10% formalin, 30% ethanol at -19 *C, 70% ethanol, and 90% ethanol. Preliminary average weights …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Metabolism And Energetics Of Darters (Percidae), Emma Kirsten Kist

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Ecological niche theory suggests two species cannot live in the same ecological niche and differences should exist among species that appear to cohabitate. Variations in physiology and behavior that potentially enable species coexistence can be reflected in metabolism. This study investigated coexisting darter fishes by measuring the metabolism of greenside (Etheostoma blennioides) and variegate (E. variatum) darters over 48 h using intermittent-flow respirometry. Activity was analyzed using time-lapse videos. E. blennioides mean metabolic rate (154.64 ± SE 52.54 mg O2·kg-1 ·hr-1 ; n=14; p=0.0006) was significantly greater than and varied more than E. variatum’s mean rate (92.51 ± SE 32.70 …

Hibernacula Site Selection Of The Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene C. Carolina, In A West Virginia Population, Benjamin Owen Koester

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) are a terrestrially hibernating reptile found throughout the eastern United States. Despite their prevalence, little, outside of anecdotal observations, is known about their hibernacula selection. This study examines if they preferentially select hibernacula locations, and if so, what characteristics they select in a West Virginia population. Over the course of two years, radio-tagged turtles (n=12) were followed into hibernation in Wayne County, WV. Upon entering hibernation, ~36 data point were collected in a grid-like fashion around the hibernacula, with an additional point collected at the hibernacula. At each point, seven variables were recorded: soil …

Testing The Efficacy Of Anuran Callback Surveys, Matthew S. Grisnik

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Monitoring programs often suffer from imperfect detection resulting in skewed population estimates, biased estimates of changes in occupancy over time, and can result in an underestimated proportion of area occupied (PAO) by a species. To increase the detection probability, researchers must increase sampling both spatially and temporally. Callback surveys are an active form of sampling that have been used to monitor many avian and mammal species. During callback surveys, the call of a conspecific male is projected with the intention of increasing probability of detection by eliciting a response from territorial males. These methods work for organisms that establish breeding …

Exposing Artemia Salina To Chattonella Subsalsa: A General Toxicity Test, Nicholas Picha

Bridges: A Journal of Student Research

The raphidophyte Chattonella subsalsa has been reported to cause harmful algal blooms in every major ocean. In South Carolina, C. subsalsa blooms have been observed in brackish stormwater detention ponds as well as estuarine waters neighboring urbanized areas. Blooms frequently cause fish kills although the fish kill mechanism of C. subsalsa is currently unknown. In many harmful species, the lethality of algal cells is thought to correspond with algal growth phase. Algal growth is known to progress through five distinct phases; lag, early exponential, late exponential, stationary, and decline. In nature, harmful algal blooms commonly occur in the late exponential …

The Influence Of A Severe Reservoir Drawdown On Springtime Zooplankton And Larval Fish Assemblages In Red Willow Reservoir, Nebraska, Jason A. Deboer, Christa M. Webber, Taylor A. Dixon, Kevin L. Pope

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

Reservoirs can be dynamic systems, often prone to unpredictable and extreme waterlevel fluctuations, and can be environments where survival is difficult for zooplankton and larval fish. Although numerous studies have examined the effects of extreme reservoir drawdown on water quality, few have examined extreme drawdown on both abiotic and biotic characteristics. A fissure in the dam at Red Willow Reservoir in southwest Nebraska necessitated an extreme drawdown; the water level was lowered more than 6 m during a two-month period, reducing reservoir volume by 76%. During the subsequent low-water period (i.e., post-drawdown), spring sampling (April-June) showed dissolved oxygen concentration was …