197 replies to this topic

[centrarchid]

Despite having abundant zooplankton, the Pirate Perch are feeding only during while dark. They did not come out to feed when sky darkened by heavy storm. Most feeding activity takes place near bottom. So far the fish have not come higher into water column to take advantage of concentrated zooplankton at ends of tank.

 

Tank currently in use.

http://gallery.nanfa...ageViewsIndex=2

[centrarchid]

Looks like multiple spawns were produced last night based on appearance of females. The fish were concentrated around spawning cites I provided about an hour before dawn. No females show distended abdomens. Will harvest and replace spawning sites this evening. If decent spawn realized, then setup cleaned up for spawning Black Crappie where a video camera can be placed directly over action. Pirate Perch brood(s) will be moved inside for more controlled rearing. Any Pirate Perch offspring that fall from substrate are likely not to be molested by crappie adults so will be watched for when crappie larvae / fry swim up.

[centrarchid]

Now we are seeing what appears to be natural behavior. Courting males blanch while courting females get darker. I busted a pair courting at about 4:30 Pm, so daylight yet. nest site deeper than I have ever encountered in a stream. Serious signs of activity around nest site. Currently missed placed camera but when found it will be worth it. Tomorrow the spawning site will be harvested.

[centrarchid]

Nest site is darker gray square with light colored end. Note exposed bottom around about 3/4 of the nest site.

 

[centrarchid]

Evidence for spawning now more direct. I can see eggs in harvested nest sites. Potential water mite issue will be addressed to increase number of fry that survive.

[Michael Wolfe]

I love this content (I hate like buttons and don't think we need them, but this kind of thread is great and I have no valuable input, so I just wanted to say thank you and keep us informed!)

[centrarchid]

 

 

 

Bad eggs all that a visible.

[centrarchid]

I am going to invent a word because I can. The word is "spit" referring to the cluster of eggs produced by a single female pirate perch during a single breeding encounter. Puke was considered, but specified coming from stomach which is not accurate.

 

Embryo below collected early this morning is between 24 and 48 hours post-fertilization. I think on lower part of that range.

 

 

[Matt DeLaVega]

Same boat as Michael. I dig this but have nothing smart to say.

[centrarchid]

Ask "can they be raised in numbers to support a food-fish industry?"

[Matt DeLaVega]

Hmm. can they be raised.......... and why them?

[centrarchid]

I do not think so. They do not appear capable of moving into a schooling mode after passing through fry stage. Even as fry they do not seem able to move about as a group. The capacity for schooling appears common to all species I know of that are raised at densities needed for food fish production.

[centrarchid]

Females are getting plump for another round. Plankton forage appears dominated by water mites and copepods plus some kind of small worm. Phytoplankton is starting to outstrip grazing since waterfleas have been essentially eliminated by the Pirate Perch.

[centrarchid]

Spawning activity resumed last night at both nest sites that are nearly 10' apart.

[centrarchid]

Pirate Perch done spawning because I made it so.  They were gearing up for what appeared to be fourth round. Having a hatch-ability issue for some reason. That will have to be resolved next year. Water mites might be involved with that.

[Matt DeLaVega]

You probably now know more about spawning pirate perch than anyone else in the universe.

[MtFallsTodd]

Super interesting thread, thanks for sharing.

[centrarchid]

The Pirate Perch raised from spawn are now three years old and getting on the larger size of what I have seen in the wild. They will be split out and fed heavily over winter to see if stock can be rejuvenated.