2 cage culture
DESCRIPTION
Cage culture presentation IAAI conference March 2, 2013 Cecil BairdTRANSCRIPT
Small Scale Cage Culture
Why Cage Culture?
Low initial investment vs. other systems
Grow out fish in a body of water that is not practical to drain
Spawn bluegills and yellow perch
Why Cage Culture (Cont.)
Separate broodfish sexes
Separate sizes and age classes
Hold fish for sale i.e. Grass Carp
Grow out small fish that would be eaten in the open pond
Feed train fish on pellets
Species that can be cage cultured
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Species that can be cage cultured (Cont.)
Smallmouth Bass
Hybrid Striped Bass
Carp
Tilapia
Channel Catfish
Bullheads
Carrying Capacity of Cages
Novice should keep densities low
Keep in mind carrying capacity of pond
Publications show up to 15 lbs. per cubic foot
Personally would never go above 3 lbs. per cubic foot
Rules of Thumb
Must have cover on cage
Provide shade on up to half of cage to reduce stress
Feed high quality diet
Overwintering can be problematic
Large mature fish and fish not originally grown out in cages get stressed
Maintenance of Cages
Keep Algae from clogging cages with push broom and extendable handle
Replace leaking or damages floats
Keep bottom of cages at least 2 feet off the bottom
No swimming around cages
Off season power wash
Harvesting Cages Deeper than width easier to harvest on shore
Can use pole and pulley to winch up cage for dipping
Do not lift cage completely out of water with fish in it!