30 DECEMBER 2012 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG well, except for the warmouth × bluegill. Stocking the different hybrids and bluegill together did not affect performance (Fig. 8). The relatively poor performance of the warmouth hybrid was probably related to their inability to compete for food and space in the presence of more competitive fish. The warmouth is also normally a bottom feeder and may not have consumed much floating feed. All three of the bestperforming groups – bluegill, redear × bluegill, and green sunfish × bluegill – can be produced to food-size fish within a reasonable time in temperate environments if proper methods are used. These methods include outdoor and indoor rearing phases. Rearing sunfish in warmer climates could provide an economic advantage because the cost of the indoor rearing phase is greater than pond rearing. Present pond-bank prices (US$2.50-3.50/kg) for live fish warrant a closer look at these species and crosses as possibilities for supplemental income for producers and farmers with private ponds suitable for raising fish. ETI’S RUGGED DESIGN AND PATENTED ENGINEERING MAKE FEEDMASTER THE INDUSTRY’S MOST POWERFUL, MOST RELIABLE AUTOMATIC FISH FEEDING SYSTEM. POWERFUL FEEDMASTER’s 20hp, electric or diesel blower HIGH-CAPACITY Feed storage silos are built with marine-grade aluminum and hold more than 20 tons of feed pellets. Or, FEEDMASTER supports your existing silos. The system also feeds 16-, 24-, and 32– cage operations. TOUGH Carburized, precision-ground timing gears are quiet and durable. Drive shaft and rotors use oversized bearings for long life. Lube chambers are isolated by Viton lip seals and blower end plates are vented to reduce pressure. ADVANCED Computerized operation allows you to control, troubleshoot and adjust feeding parameters with a simple click of a button. FEEDMASTER automatically calculates the daily growth of your fish and the amount of feed needed each day. The system also generates printed reports of daily activities. CALL ETI TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION Environmental Technologies, Inc. (253) 804-2507 transvac@aol.com HOW TO FEED FISH FAST! motor moves feed through 3” transfer hose– the industry’s largest. Plus, FEEDMASTER feeds more than 100kg/minute, a distance of up to 1000 meters. WWW.TRANSVAC.COM Notes 1 Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO 65101 hicksc@lincolnu.edu References Morris, J.E., C.C. Mischke and D.L. Garling. 2002. A Sunfish Culture Guide. North Central Regional Aquaculture Center, Lansing, MI, USA. Piper, R.G., I.B. McElwain, L.E. Orem., J.P. McCraren, L.G. Fowler and J.R. Leonard. 1982. Fish Hatchery Management. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington D.C. USA. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). 2006. Census of Aquaculture 2005. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. AC-02SP-2. www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2002/Aquaculture/ AQUACEN.pdf FIGURE 8. A visual comparison of sunfish from each cross at harvest after two years of culture. Top left: Warmouth X Bluegill; Top right: Bluegill X Bluegill; Bottom left: Green sunfish X Bluegill; Bottom right: Redear X Bluegill
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