Grouper Pond Culture Project (Size-Grading and Feeding as Important Requirements)

Prepared by: Edmundo Enderez

Comparison on the results of 2 research studies on the pond culture of grouper has been done to serve as reference or guide for fishery technicians and fishfarmers who are engaged in the grouper pond culture project. Assuming other technical requirements are in order, there is a need to give more emphasis on the aspects of stock size-grading and feeding in order to make the necessary technical improvements, innovations, and change, thus enhancing the technical feasibility and financial viability of the project. I. A research paper titled Culture and economics of wild grouper (Epinephelus coioides) using three feed types in ponds published by the Aquaculture, Volume 201, Issues 3-4, 1 October 2001 indicated the a) use of three types of feeds; tilapia cultured together with grouper, formulated diet, and by-catch, b) initial stocking of groupers that are graded into small, medium and large size fish, and c) culture for 150 days. The results on the growth rate are compared with the standard growth as presented below. 1. First, the initial average body weight (ABW) of the three graded size groups, namely: small (24.97.3 g), medium (45.85.7 g), and large (84.130.0 g) have corresponding average total length of 10 cm, 14cm, and 17 cm, respectively. This is done by referring to the Graph on the Length-Weight relationship of grouper.
Graph 1. Length-Weight relationship of orange-spotted or green grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

2.

Second, convert published data on the growth of grouper in size over time into Graph 2 below.
Graph 3. Plotting research data on growth rate

Graph 2. Standard growth rate

3. Third, make Graph 3 by plotting the research data on the ABWs of the stocks after 150 culture days in which by-catch was used as feeds: less than 14% have ABW of less than 200 grams, 39% with ABW of 200-

400 grams, and 47% with ABW of more than 400 grams. It shows that the research data on growth is similar to that of the standard growth rate. Since size grading was done only during the time of stocking, it is expected that there is wide range of sizes of the stocks after the 5 months of culture. It also shows the suggested practice of size-grading at different culture periods of grouper. In commercial operation, the practice of size-grading to minimize, among others things, cannibalism and wide variance in the size of the stocks at harvest. 4. Fourth, know the financial viability. Final fish length and total production are shown to be better with the use of by-catch than that of formulated diet and tilapia (in polyculture with grouper) given the ROI of 155% and cash payback period of 0.4. It indicates that improvement in certain variables such as price of grouper juveniles, feeds, yield, survival, and FCR would make the project more financially viable. II. Another research paper titled A Practical Guide to Feeds and Feed Management for Cultured Groupers which is included in Publication No. 2005-02 of the Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network makes comparison of the 3 types of feeds: trash fish (by-catch), formulated feeds, and moist feeds. 1. Trash fish readily breaks up into small pieces when eaten. Consequently, as much as 30% to 50% of the trash fish fed to the stocks is lost which is 2 to 4 times more than that for pelleted feeds. 2. Formulated feeds (pellets) has better water stability so less of the feed is wasted, thereby generating less pollution and reducing disease problems. Just follow the basic rule: amount of feed should be based on the general formula: Amount of feed = Total no. of stocks x ABW x feeding rate. With this as guide, feed the fish to satiation but do not overfeed, i.e., when fish stop taking feed, stop feeding them. Things to consider in using formulated feeds. Pellets are fed slowly in small quantities that the stocks can immediately consume. This process is efficient but labor intensive Fishfarmers who obtained fingerlings or juveniles from the wild have experienced difficulties in converting from trash fish to formulated feed. The remedial measure is to feed the stocks with a mix of trash fish and formulated feed: initially, trash fish should comprise a large portion of the mixed feed; the proportion of formulated feed in the mixture is gradually increased until trash fish is totally eliminated. An alternative measure is to starve the fish for 2-3 days and then feed only formulated feed. But care should be taken not to starve or underfeed the fish quite long to prevent health problem. Feed should be distributed to pond areas where fish are present. Use feeding tray for monitoring purposes 3. Moist feeds can be made in various forms: pellet, ball, etc. The feeds consist of trash fish (60%), soybean meal (15), rice bran-cooked (15), Vitamin pre-mix (1), vitamin C (0.02), trace mineral premix (0.5), fish/squid oil (2), and water (0-10). Use feeding tray to reduce wastage during feeding.

Source: A Practical Guide to Feeds and Feed Management for Cultured Groupers Publication No. 2005-02 of the Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network.