Demonstration of Survival, Growth, and Reproduction of Gulf Killifish in Freshwater Ponds

The Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis, a popular baitfish species inhabiting estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico, has potential as an aquaculture species, particularly if it can be produced in low-salinity or freshwater ponds. Because growth and survival in freshwater ponds are not known, two size-classes were examined over a 16-week period. Initial mean stocking weights and densities were 0.47 g/fish and 26,500 fish/ha for the smaller size-group, which was stocked into three 0.04-ha ponds, and 6.12 g/fish and 20,450 fish/ha for the larger size-group, which was stocked into two 0.04-ha ponds. Growth and survival were similar between size-classes: mean final weight and mean survival were 7.88 g/fish and 54.3%, respectively, for the smaller size-group, and 13.90 g/fish and 43.1% for the larger size-group. Mean weight gain was very similar between size-groups (small: 7.41 g; large: 7.78 g); steady growth was observed from June until mid-September, whereas little growth and declines in condition factor were observed from mid-September to mid-October, corresponding with decreases in water temperature. Gulf Killifish were resilient to a wide range of water quality conditions in freshwater ponds and reached market sizes of 3 g at about 4 weeks and 5 g by 8 weeks.