Results of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca Linnaeus, 1758) cultivation with pool technology

Purpose.To investigate the peculiarities of pikeperch fingerlings (Sander lucioperca Linnaeus, 1758) cultivated with the use of pool technology and different stoking densities, also to provide a comprehensive fishery-biological assessment of the produced fish. Methodology. The material for the study were juvenile and young-of-the-year pikeperch. They were cultivated in 17.3 m3 pools (in the first series of the experiment) and 2.16 m3 pools (in the second series of the experiment). According to the physiological needs of pikeperch at the studied stage of ontogenesis, its diet consisted of salt brine shrimp (Artemia salina Linnaeus, 1758) nauplii and combined feed. They were fed according to a scheme with a sequential change of 3 stages: 1 – feeding exclusively with brine shrimp nauplii; 2 – combined feeding (brine shrimp nauplii and combined feed were mixed); 3 – feeding exclusively with combined feed. Also, 3 options of stocking density were used at each of the above-mentioned growing stages. Namely: at the 1st stage ‒ 40, 60 and 80 thousand individuals/m3; in the II stage ‒ 10, 15 and 20 thousand individuals/m3, and in the III stage ‒ 5, 7, 10 thousand individuals/m3. During the entire growing process, according to the schedule, test catches were carried out, during which weighing was carried out, based on the results of which absolute and relative weight gains were calculated. Statistical processing of the received data was carried out using a package of standard Microsoft Office software. Findings. The study established that the highest growth rates were found in fish that were grown at the stocking density: at first 40 thousand individuals/m3 (I stage), and then 10 thousand individuals/m3 (II stage) and 5 (III stage) individuals/m3 after that — experimental group No 1. The individual weights in the fish from this experimental group were 1.7–1.8 g at the first stage of rearing, and at the second stage of rearing, the intensity of weight accumulation in them increased almost twice (2.4–2.2 g). The survival rate of fish from the experimental group No 1 was 37.5–41.0% at the I stage of rearing and 74.0–78.0% at the II stage. Under such scheme (feeding and stocking density as in experimental group No 1) of pikeperch juveniles and young-of-the-year cultivation in pools, the fish productivity of the latter ranged from 21 to 35.8 kg/m3 (depending on the initial size of the pools for rearing). Originality.For the first time in the conditions of Ukraine, a comparative analysis of young-of-the-pikeperch cultivation using intensive technology was carried out, and practical recommendations were given to improve the existing technology. Practical Value.The use of the pool method of young-of-the-pikeperch cultivation allows expanding the existing technologies of aquaculture for this fish species and increase the market of its additional products.