Growth and Survival of Juvenile Robust Redhorse

The name Moxostoma robustum has been transferred to a recently rediscovered large catostomid, the robust redhorse. The only known population of this species currently exists in the Oconee River in east central Georgia, and efforts are underway to restore it to its historic range. Our study objective was to identify which of three commercial diets, Fry Feed Kyowa C-700 (diet B), Shrimp Production 45/10 (diet SP), or Salmon Starter (diet SS), would provide the best survival and growth of juvenile robust redhorse. Two experiments were conducted, and a completely randomized design was used within each experiment. The two experiments differed in tank color (green; black), length of study (60 d; 30 d), and initial size of fish (27.1 and 44.8 mm total length). Growth was best with diet B; diets B and SP produced the highest survival; and diet SP cost less than the others. We were unable to determine whether the significant differences in growth and survival among fish fed the three diets was a result of differences in particle size, nutrient composition, or palatability. We recommend that consideration be given to the relative benefits of diets B and SP, such as cost versus growth differences, before selecting the diet for an intensive culture program.