J. R. Snow

The result of applying pre-flooding applications of simazine to warm-water hatchery ponds employed in the culture of largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish fingerlings is described. Rates of 10 and 15 pounds active simazine per acre appeared to reduce the incidence of algal growths such as Pithophora and Hydrodietyon and inhibited development of submerged rooted weeds. Effects generally persisted for one production period but were not noticeable in succeeding production cycles. Some indication was obtained that phytoplankton development was retarded but fish production was...

Experiments on rearing largemouth bass fingerlings to a size of 4-6 inches total length in rearing troughs and tanks are described. Fingerling fish 1.5-3.0 inches in length which had been started in earthern ponds on natural food were trained to take artificial food employing ground fresh or frozen fish as a starting diet. Following the initial training period the fish were fed a prepared ration composed of varying amounts of frozen fish or beef liver mixed with a dry trout food. Data on survival, growth, food conversion and special problems encountered are presented. The rate of...

Two boat-mounted machines for applying herbicides or other similar materials to small ponds are described. A dry materials spreader was assembled from three lawn-type fertilizer spreaders. Powered by a small air-cooled gasoline engine the spreader operated effectively to uniformly distribute granular herbicides, lime or similar materials. Distribution of granular material at rates ranging from 100-1,000 Ibs. per acre was possible. A boat-mounted spray rig employing a 15-foot boom eliminated the need for a two-man crew for treating small ponds with liquid materials. The spraying...

Experiments to determine the forage species preference of largemouth black bass fingerlings and a few larger bass are described. Data on the amount of food consumed, rate of growth and food conversion are presented. Forage minnows included were goldfish, Carassius auratus (Linnaeus), fathead, Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque) and bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus (Rafinesque). While there was' evidence of considerable individual variation in the species of forage minnow preferred, the bass in the experiments preferred fatheads more frequently than the other species, goldfish were second choice...

An experiment on the rearing of largemouth black bass fingerlings in troughs is described. Negative results were obtained in inducing 1/2, and 3/4-inch fry to feed on a diet of ground fish. Sizes of 1 1/2, 2 and 3-inch fish accepted this form of food after a training period of 3-5 days. Bass fingerlings were successfully reared from a size of 1 1/2 inches to one of 3 inches on a diet of ground fish over a period of 116 days. Growth was slow, but the average weight of the fish increased from 417 milligrams at the start of the period to one of 4.2 grams at the end, a tenfold increase....

During the spawning seasons of 1958 and 1959 an experiment was conducted to compare the spawning success of channel catfish in three types of environments. The environments employed included a O.6-acre pond, 16 concrete block holding pens 6 feet wide, 12 feet long and up to 3% feet deep, and six aquaria of 50 gallon capacity along with four concrete holding house tanks. The spawning fish were from three to four years old and were in what was considered to be average flesh. The highest percentage of spawning fish was noted in the pond environment both years. Spawning success was...

The results of applying ground limestone (CaCO2) and quicklime (CaO) to hatchery ponds used for the culture of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus, Raf.) are described. Effects appeared to be beneficial in the sample of ponds treated. Quicklime was difficult to apply because of caustic effects to skin of personnel handling it. Laboratory experiments indicated that hydrated lime (Ca[OH].) could be used to produce a pH as alkaline as that obtained from quicklime provided that an equivalent amount of calcium was used in the hydrated form.

A simple method for the comparative testing of herbicides for emergent weeds was developed and used over a three-year period to compare the effect of recently introduced herbicides with that obtained from the use of a 2,4-D ester in a fuel oil carrier. The herbicides tested included amitrol (3-amino-l, 2, 4-triazol), dalapon (sodium salt of 2, 2 dichloropropionic acid), erbon (2- (2, 4, 5 tricholorophenoxy) ethyl 2,2 dichloropropionate), Kuron (propylene glycol butyl ether ester of 2-(2,4,5 trichlorophenoxy) propionic acid), Kuramine (amine formulation of 2-(2,4,5 trichlorophenoxy)...

Control of Hydrodictyon reticulaturn Lagerh. and Pithophora oedogoma Wittr. in warmwater hatchery ponds using copper sulfate, sodium arsenite and abietylamine acetate is discussed. Some of the disadvantages of these chemicals as algicides for hatchery use are presented. A method of controlling the above species of vegetation in hatchery ponds using abietylamine acetate is described and recommended for use where either copper sulfate or sodium arsenite has not given satisfactory results.

Although the literature shows several instances where warmwater fishes have been affected by recognizable disease organisms, the problem of warmwater fish diseases has received little notice by investigators. Evidence collected in fish cultural activity at the Marion, Alabama, Station indicates that disease may be an important factor in the successful propagation of bluegill fingerlings and also to some extent in that of largemouth black bass. A case of gill disease among blugills is described and other evidence regarding unexplained mortality among both bluegills and largemouth...