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Intensive Culture of Walleye from Egg Incubation to Juvenile

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Biology and Culture of Percid Fishes

Abstract

This chapter describes early life stages and reviews intensive larviculture of Walleye (Sander vitreus) from hatch to 35 days posthatch (dph). Embryonic development, egg incubation and chemotherapy for eggs, as well as details of gas bladder inflation and methodology to overcome non-inflation of the gas bladder (NGB) are illustrated with photographs from microvideography and artwork. Husbandry includes description of stocking density, as well as environmental features (light, tank color, turbid water, surface spray, and tank hygiene) needed to overcome the problem of clinging behavior and NGB. Consideration is given to use of live and manufactured feeds as well as feeding rate and frequency. The problem of deformities as well as occurrence and treatment of disease and are given appropriate attention. The chapter demonstrates a science-based, production-scale protocol for Walleye fry culture that can achieve 60–70 % survival from hatch to 35 days post hatch (dph). The chapter supports the viewpoint that intensive larviculture offers a practical alternative to pond-culture for production of feed-trained juvenile Walleyes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, IA, 50011-3221, USA

    Robert C. Summerfelt

  2. Rathbun Fish Culture Research Facility, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 15053 Hatchery Place, Moravia, IA, 52571, USA

    J. Alan Johnson

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  1. Robert C. Summerfelt
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  2. J. Alan Johnson
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Correspondence to Robert C. Summerfelt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium

    Patrick Kestemont

  2. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Konrad Dabrowski

  3. Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa, USA

    Robert C. Summerfelt

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Summerfelt, R.C., Johnson, J.A. (2015). Intensive Culture of Walleye from Egg Incubation to Juvenile. In: Kestemont, P., Dabrowski, K., Summerfelt, R. (eds) Biology and Culture of Percid Fishes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7227-3_11

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