LSU AgCenter . Baitfish Portal

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Common Farm-Raised Baitfish

The three main fish species raisedfor bait in the southern region are the golden shiner, the fathead minnow, and the goldfish. Together, these three species account for more than 90 percent of farm-raised bait and feeder fish sales in the United States.

Feeding Practices for Baitfish

The high fish densities demanded by the market effectively reduce the availability of natural foods for individual fish. Thus, intensively cultured fish are generally fed prepared feeds to support maximum growth.

Baitfish: Feeds and Feeding Practices

The terms “baitfish” and “feeder fish” encompass a number of distinct species, each with its own nutritional requirements. Economic analyses clearly indicate that a feeding program is necessary for maximizing profit.

Baitfish Production: Enterprise Budget

The baitfish industry is the fourth largest aquaculture industry in the United States in dollar sales. Yet, little work has been done on the economics of this important industry. This budget is based on recommended management practices and conservative estimates of yield, prices and cost.

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Baitfish Outlook

The number of baitfish producers and the farm-gate value of the crop increased in Louisiana during 2004.

Interaction With The Coastal Community

LSU AgCenter/Louisiana Sea Grant Program is structured to assist in the appropriate use of coastal resources such as fishery stocks, habitat utilization and socioeconomic development of coastal industries.

Watershed Fish Production Ponds: Guide to Site Selection and Construction

To be profitable, an aquaculture pond must be sited properly and designed for efficiency. An inaccessible location, leaks in the pond, poor seining conditions, or lack of good quality water will doom an aquaculture enterprise to failure.

Construction of Levee Ponds for Commercial Catfish Production

Proper design and construction of ponds is critical to the success of a commercial catfish operation. Well-designed ponds, constructed on soil with proper clay content and adequate water supply, have a useful life of at least 10 years.

Site Selection of Levee-Type Fish Production Ponds

Considerable thought and planning should go into selecting sites for commercial fish production ponds. Construction costs, ease and cost of operation, and productivity can be greatly affected by the site selected.