Effects of Different Feed Habituation Methods on Survival and Feed Habituation Success of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides, in a Recirculating Aquaculture System

Demand for food size and trophy largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides , is steadily increasing. However, largemouth bass, a carnivorous species, are more difficult to feed habituate than other commercially produced fish. Improving current feed habituation techniques to increase the percentage of fingerlings successfully feed habituated would increase profits, productivity and efficiency, and available product in the largemouth bass industry. The focus of this research was to evaluate different combinations of automatic feeders and supplemental hand feeding to determine the feed habituation success under commercial largemouth bass production conditions. Hand feeding, using only automatic feeders, or combinations of both, did not result in significant differences with regard to survival or feed habituation success. Initial fingerling size (total length, TL ) was found to be the most important factor affecting survival and feed habituation success. Fish ranging from 40 to 50 mm ( TL ) survived and feed habituated at significantly higher rates than 30–40 and 50–60 mm ( TL ) fingerlings. Medium‐sized fish provide the best results in terms of feed habituation success and survival. The results suggest any combination of hand feeding and automatic feeders may be used to achieve feed habituating success in largemouth bass.