Eric J. Cassiano

0000-0003-4178-2048

Using Airlifts to Collect and Concentrate Copepod Nauplii

Eric Cassiano, Matthew DiMaggio, Cortney Ohs, and John Marcellus

Airlifts are simple and inexpensive and not new to aquaculture. The buoyancy of rising bubbles within a pipe or tube generates an upward flow of water that are often used as part of water treatment design in recirculating aquaculture systems, but can also be used to collect and concentrate live food organisms fed to marine fish larvae. Airlifts are more gentle and efficient than sieving. This 3-page fact sheet provides protocols and designs for harvesting and feeding copepod nauplii to marine fish larvae, but these methods can be adapted for use with many live feed organisms.

Candidate Species for Marine Ornamental Aquaculture: Porkfish, Anisotremis virginicus

Eric Cassiano and Kevin Barden

Eastern Mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, for Control of Mosquito Larvae

Eric Jon Cassiano, Jeffrey Hill, Quenton Tuckett, and Craig Watson

Overview of Commonly Cultured Marine Ornamental Fish

Elizabeth M. Groover, Matthew A. DiMaggio, and Eric J. Cassiano

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Pigfish, Orthropristis chrysoptera

Eric J. Cassiano, Cortney L. Ohs, and Jeff E. Hill

Candidate Species for Marine Ornamental Aquaculture: French Grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum

Kevin P. Barden, Matthew L. Wittenrich, and Eric J. Cassiano

Energy Efficiency for Florida Aquaculture Facilities: Energy Audits

Jordan Neff, Eric Cassiano, Micah Alo, and Craig Watson

The energy consumption on aquaculture facilities can account for a large portion of on-farm operational costs. Energy associated with keeping aquatic plants and animals alive contributes to the total cost of operation.  Even on a moderately sized farm, excessive energy consumption can be a limiting factor in the success of an aquaculture business. When recirculating aquaculture systems and indoor climate-controlled production methods are used, the cost of energy can be as large as the costs associated with labor and feed. Evaluating energy use on a facility allows for the opportunity to identify areas where energy may be used more efficiently. Increasing energy efficiency can help reduce overall operational costs and increase profitability. This publication is one in a series that details techniques and methods for reducing energy consumption on aquaculture farms.

The Effects of Regulations on the Florida Ornamental Aquaculture Industry, an Infographic

By Noah C. Boldt, Jonathan van Senten, Carole R. Engle, Eric J. Cassiano, and Matthew A. DiMaggio

This infographic accompanies "The Effects of Regulation on Ornamental Aquaculture Farms in Florida" (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA248), an Ask IFAS factsheet that discusses the results of a study conducted to measure the impact of regulations on ornamental aquaculture farms in Florida using on-farm data from 2018. Florida’s diverse ornamental aquaculture industry has many unique challenges that set it apart from other aquaculture commodity groups. The numerous production techniques, diversity of species, and various market outlets make the ornamental aquaculture industry an intriguing study in how regulations impact the industry. By understanding regulatory impacts, we can streamline efforts to address them.

Energy Efficiency for Florida Aquaculture Facilities: Variable Frequency Drives

Jordan Neff, Eric Cassiano, Micah Alo, and Craig Watson

Energy consumption is often a primary contributor to the cost of operation in aquaculture. Even on a moderately sized farm, excessive energy consumption can be a limiting factor in the success of an aquaculture business. Reducing operational costs can increase total profitability. Identifying inefficient energy use and implementing energy-efficient technologies can help reduce the total cost of operation. This publication is one in a series that details techniques and methods for reducing energy consumption to decrease operational costs on aquaculture facilities. In many aquaculture practices, especially finfish culture, water must be moved from one location to another.  Pumping water often accounts for a significant portion of a facility’s energy use and operational costs.  This publication discusses how variable frequency drives can be used to reduce energy consumption of pumps.

Freshwater Ornamental Aquatic Plant Production in Florida

Eric J. Cassiano and Lyn A. Gettys

Florida has a unique and diverse aquaculture industry consisting of ornamental fish, food fish, shellfish, alligators, aquatic plants, and more. Although some aquatic plants are produced for food or wetland restoration, most aquatic plant production in Florida is for the water garden and aquarium industries. There are over 1000 different species and varieties of ornamental aquatic plants produced in Florida. Since most ornamental aquatic plants are tropical in origin, Florida’s warm climate makes it ideal for growing them year-round. This publication covers ornamental aquatic plant production in Florida including permitting and licensing, production techniques, farm design, pests and diseases, and marketing. 

The Effects of Regulation on Ornamental Aquaculture Farms in Florida

Noah C. Boldt, Jonathan van Senten, Carole R. Engle, Eric J. Cassiano, and Matthew A. DiMaggio

Florida’s diverse ornamental aquaculture industry has many unique challenges that set it apart from other aquaculture commodity groups.  The numerous production techniques, diversity of species, and various market outlets make the ornamental aquaculture industry an intriguing study in how regulations impact the industry.  By understanding those regulatory impacts, we can streamline efforts to address them.  A study was conducted to measure the regulatory impact on ornamental aquaculture farms in Florida using on-farm data from 2018. All farms were censused in the state and results covered 82% of the industry with a response rate of 41% of farms. This factsheet discusses the results of that study and the regulatory burden that the ornamental aquaculture industry in Florida endures.

Teach Aquaculture Curriculum: Introduction

Cortney L. Ohs, R. Leroy Creswell, Amber L. Garr, Carlos V. Martinez, Brian E. Myers, Elisa J. Livengood, Craig S. Kasper, and Frank A. Chapman

Teach Aquaculture Curriculum: What makes a good fish food?

Craig S. Kasper, Cortney L. Ohs, Brian E. Myers, Frank A. Chapman, Amber L. Garr, R. Leroy Creswell, Carlos V. Martinez, and Elisa J. Livengood

Preventing Escape of Non-Native Species from Aquaculture Facilities in Florida, Part 1: General Considerations and Regulations

Quenton M. Tuckett, Carlos V. Martinez, Jared L. Ritch, Katelyn M. Lawson, and Jeffrey E. Hill

Teach Aquaculture Curriculum: Dancing with Brine Shrimp

Elisa J. Livengood, Cortney L. Ohs, Amber L. Garr, R. Leroy Creswell, Carlos V. Martinez, Craig S. Kasper, Brian E. Myers, and Frank A. Chapman

Brine shrimp live in and are harvested primarily from natural salt lakes and solar salt operations around the world. Two natural sources of brine shrimp in the United States are the Great Salt Lake in Utah and San Francisco Bay in California. Adult brine shrimp are also called "sea monkeys" and are used for entertainment or to feed aquarium fish. Brine shrimp can be used to observe, control, and manipulate a life cycle under laboratory conditions during a period of less than 2 weeks. They can be

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Discus Symphysodon spp., a Profitable but Challenging Species for Florida Aquaculture

E. J. Livengood, C. L. Ohs, and F. A. Chapman

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides

Cortney L. Ohs, Scott W. Grabe, and Matthew A. DiMaggio

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Atlantic Croaker, Micropogonias undulatus

R. LeRoy Creswell, Cortney L. Ohs, and Christian L. Miller

Teach Aquaculture Curriculum: Spawning and Rearing Bivalve Molluscs—Larval Culture

R. Leroy Creswell, Cortney L. Ohs, Craig S. Kasper, Carlos V. Martinez, Elisa J. Livengood, Amber L. Garr, Frank A. Chapman, and Brian E. Myers

In this activity students will use an ocular micrometer to measure the length of bivalve larvae, monitor the density of larvae in their culture system, and understand production protocols used in bivalve hatcheries. This activity will take about 15 minutes per day for approximately two weeks; this is the amount of time it will take for larvae to develop from egg to metamorphosis (setting).

Harvesting Ornamental Fish From Ponds

Tina C. Crosby, Jeffrey E. Hill, Carlos V. Martinez, Craig A. Watson, Deborah B. Pouder, and Roy P.E. Yanong

Teach Aquaculture Curriculum: Spawning and Rearing Bivalve Molluscs—Spawning

R. Leroy Creswell, Cortney L. Ohs, Craig S. Kasper, Elisa J. Livengood, Amber L. Garr, Brian E. Myers, Carlos V. Martinez, and Frank A. Chapman

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus

Christian L. Miller, Cortney L. Ohs, and R. LeRoy Creswell

Preventing Escape of Non-Native Species from Aquaculture Facilities in Florida, Part 3: Structural Strategies

Quenton M. Tuckett, Carlos V. Martinez, Jared L. Ritch, Katelyn M. Lawson, and Jeffrey E. Hill

Grading Ornamental Fish

Tina C. Crosby, Jeffrey E. Hill, Carlos V. Martinez, Craig A. Watson, Deborah B. Pouder, and Roy P.E. Yanong

Use of Copper in Freshwater Aquaculture and Farm Ponds

Craig Watson and Roy P.E. Yanong

Copper has been used for many years as a chemical tool in freshwater farm ponds and aquaculture operations. It is both an effective algicide and a parasite treatment. The problem with the use of copper is that there is a thin line that separates effective treatment levels from overdoses, which can kill fish. This fact sheet is designed to explain when copper is used, how it is used, and some precautions to take before using it. First published in 1989. 

Preventing Escape of Non-Native Species from Aquaculture Facilities in Florida, Part 2: Facility Evaluation Strategies

Jeffrey E. Hill, Quenton M. Tuckett, Carlos V. Martinez, Jared L. Ritch, and Katelyn M. Lawson

Culture Techniques of Moina : The Ideal Daphnia for Feeding Freshwater Fish Fry

R. W. Rottmann, J. Scott Graves, Craig Watson, and Roy P. E. Yanong

This document provides an extensive overview of the biology, culture methods, and practical applications of Daphnia, specifically focusing on the genera Daphnia and Moina. Daphnia, known as "water fleas" due to their size and distinctive movement, play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems and aquaculture. The document discusses their physical and chemical habitat requirements, food sources, and reproductive cycles. It highlights the advantages of Moina in aquaculture due to their high reproductive rates and tolerance to environmental conditions. Detailed procedures for the culture of Moina, including container specifications, water quality management, aeration, feeding, and harvesting techniques, are provided. Additionally, the document addresses nutritional aspects and methods for long-term storage. This comprehensive guide aims to support hobbyists and commercial operators in optimizing Moina production for feeding fish fry. First published May,1992.

Preventing Escape of Non-Native Species from Aquaculture Facilities in Florida, Part 4: Operational Strategies

Quenton M. Tuckett, Carlos V. Martinez, Jared L. Ritch, Katelyn M. Lawson, and Jeffrey E. Hill

Preparation of Ornamental Fish for Shipping

Tina C. Crosby, Jeffrey E. Hill, Carlos V. Martinez, Craig A. Watson, Deborah B. Pouder, and Roy P.E. Yanong

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s).

On-Farm Transport of Ornamental Fish

Tina C. Crosby, Jeffrey E. Hill, Carlos V. Martinez, Craig A. Watson, Deborah B. Pouder, and Roy P.E. Yanong

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Peces ornamentales de agua dulce comúnmente cultivados en Florida

Jeffrey E. Hill, Roy P.E. Yanong, y Juan M. Campos Krauer

Esta publicación revisa brevemente los grupos más comunes de peces ornamentales tropicales de agua dulce cultivados en Florida y sirve como introducción a una serie de publicaciones que cubren estos grupos con más detalle. Para simplificar, los peces se agrupan según la familia o familias relacionadas.

Teach Aquaculture Curriculum: Anatomy of a Fish

Amber L. Garr, Cortney L. Ohs, Craig S. Kasper, R. Leroy Creswell, Frank A. Chapman, Brian E. Myers, Elisa J. Livengood, and Carlos V. Martinez

A UF/IFAS numbered Curriculum. Published by Aquaculture

Submission of Fish for Diagnostic Evaluation

Natalie K. Stilwell, Roy P.E. Yanong, and Ruth Francis-Floyd

Submission of Fish for Diagnostic Evaluation

Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV): a Globally Emerging Threat to Tilapia Aquaculture

Lowia Al-Hussinee, Kuttichantran Subramaniam, Win Surachetpong, Vsevolod Popov, Kathleen Hartman, Katharine Starzel, Roy Yanong, Craig Watson, Hugh Ferguson, Salvatore Frasca Jr., and Thomas Waltzek

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Aquaculture

Fish Nutrition

Ruth Francis-Floyd

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Aquaculture

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Evaluating an Aquatic Organism's Aquaculture Potential

Cortney L. Ohs and R. LeRoy Creswell

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Aquaculture