Growth rates of tiger muskellunge (muskellunge Esox masquinongy ♀ x northern pike E. lucius ♂) fed diets containing 35, 45, or 55% crude protein for 5 weeks at 17, 20, or 23°C were compared. Fish fed diets containing 45 or 55% protein grew faster at all temperatures than those fed 35% protein. Growth of tiger muskellunge fed a diet containing either 45 or 55% protein did not increase significantly at optimum growth temperatures (20 or 23°C). At 17°C, below the optimum temperature range, growth did increase when the percentage of protein in the diet was increased.
Artificial turf incubators for raising muskellunge to swim-up fry
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) eggs were incubated in artificial turf incubators in five lakes in Michigan and Wisconsin in 1985. Mean survival of swim‐up fry from green eggs was 12% and from eyed eggs was 39%. This technique provides the manager with an economical and rapid method for raising muskellunge in lakes with inadequate spawning habitat.
Fingerlings muskellunge production in an intensive-extensive culture system in New York State.
Declining stocks of adult muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) in Chautauqua Lake prompted changes in the production procedures employed at the Chautauqua State Fish Hatchery, Mayville, New York. The system now in use involves intensive trough rearing of muskellunge for approximately 1–1.5 months, followed by extensive pond rearing for up to 2 months. There was no significant difference in growth rate between muskellunge reared intensively on minnows and those reared on formulated diets; mean growth rates were 0.054 and 0.048 in/d, respectively. There was no significant difference in growth rate of muskellunge reared extensively whether they previously had been fed formulated diet or minnows in troughs; average growth rates were 0.086 and 0.084 in/d. Food conversion (food weight fed/fish weight gained) and percent survival of fingerlings transferred to ponds were significantly lower among fish previously fed formulated feeds (3.02 and 68.4%) than among fish previously fed minnows (3.74 and 81.2%).