Food Storage

Storing formulated feed under appropriate conditions can be challenging, especially in climates that are rarely cool or dry, such as the Florida Keys and similar coastal areas. A practical solution is to store the majority of the feed in a cool, dry area, taking only a week's supply to the dockside when needed. Keys Feeds are packaged in screw-top buckets, which are effective at keeping moisture and humidity out of the feed. Additionally, we've enhanced our feed with extra antioxidants to help prevent spoilage. Despite these measures, it's important to avoid using feed that shows signs of mold, discoloration, or has an off smell.

Feed Training and Weaning

We've successfully introduced nearly every species of bait fish to Keys Feeds from the onset. Initially, fish introduced to a new pen may be stressed and reluctant to eat. Typically, it might take a few feeding attempts before one fish, driven by curiosity or hunger, takes a bite. Once one fish starts feeding, the rest of the school usually follows quickly, recognizing the pellets as food.

An effective strategy to accelerate the transition from natural to Keys Feeds is the use of a "teacher fish." These are fish that are already accustomed to feeding on pellets. Keeping a few feed-trained fish in the cage, instead of removing all for a fishing trip, encourages newly added bait to accept the formulated feed more readily, especially if they observe others feeding aggressively.

For species that are hesitant to switch from natural feeds, co-feeding with Keys Feeds for a day or two can be beneficial. However, it's important to note that natural feeds, particularly when frozen and thawed, can dilute the nutritional value of any feed due to loss of vitamins. A suggested method for weaning fish off natural feeds involves a phased approach: start with a 50/50 mix of natural and Keys Feeds on the first day, shift to 25% natural and 75% Keys on the second day, and then switch entirely to Keys Feeds by the third day. Although this rapid transition may seem drastic, especially if natural feeds have been a staple, it is crucial for enhancing the fish's overall health and nutrition.

Natural vs Keys Feeds

Some believe that offering a combination of frozen natural feeds and formulated feeds is the best strategy, assuming that each fish will consume a bit of both. However, gut content analyses have revealed that typically, certain fish will exclusively consume the natural feeds, while others will only eat the formulated feeds. This pattern suggests that while the average health of the fish population may appear robust and vigorous, there are likely to be individuals that suffer from nutritional deficiencies, manifesting as sickness and lethargy. Therefore, it is important to monitor feeding habits closely to ensure that all fish are receiving a balanced diet that includes all necessary nutrients.

Feeding Rate

Everyone managing bait fish faces unique challenges related to available time and facilities. The optimal feeding regimen—comprising the feeding rate (percentage of body weight per day), number of feedings, and the timing of feedings—significantly influences fish health. The aim is to ensure that every fish, whether aggressive or passive, receives a sufficient daily ration.

Ideally, each tank or cage would be hand-fed to satiation four to six times daily, but this method is often impractical due to time constraints. Once the appropriate feed quantity is determined, automatic feeders can be programmed to dispense food at set times. Although these devices are costly and can be complex to operate in an open environment, they may be suitable in certain situations.

To determine the daily feeding amount, known as the feeding rate, one effective method is to hand-feed the fish several times a day. Feed should be gradually dispensed over a ten-minute period until the fish stop consuming it. For example, if there are 20 pounds of fish in a cage and they consume 1 pound of feed across four feedings, they have ingested 5% of their body weight in feed per day. This manual approach is time-consuming, so an alternative is to set a daily feeding rate. Younger, smaller fish typically require a higher feeding rate than mature ones, but a rate of 8-10% of body weight per day should suffice for even the most robust feeders and species.

It's important to note that these recommendations apply exclusively to formulated feeds, not to natural feeds like squid, shrimp, or baitfish, which are roughly 75-80% water by weight. In contrast, dry formulated feeds contain less than 10% water. Therefore, a pound of Keys Feed delivers about four times the protein and energy of natural feeds. When comparing costs, consider that natural feeds' high water content means their dry matter cost is effectively four times higher. This adjusted cost helps accurately evaluate the true expense of using natural feeds.

Feeding Frequency

While feeding bait fish six to eight times per day may be optimal, it's understandable that such a frequent schedule may not be feasible for many people. At a minimum, feeding twice per day is recommended if more frequent feedings are not possible. The optimal time of day for feeding can vary by species. For instance, pinfish and sand perch typically do not feed well at night, dawn, or dusk and prefer to eat during daylight hours. In contrast, species like goggle eyes and threadfin are more adaptable to different feeding times.

The best approach to determine the most effective feeding times and frequencies is through careful observation of how your specific species responds within your system. Monitoring their behaviors and preferences will guide you in optimizing their feeding schedule to ensure their health and vitality.

Fish Handling

Anyone experienced in raising, feeding, or utilizing live baits understands that rough handling can severely impact the quality and vitality of the bait. This is true for all stages, from catching and transporting to holding the bait fish. Handling methods, like feeding programs, should be tailored to the specific needs of each fish species and the conditions at each location. Proper handling is crucial, as it is as vital to the survival rate of the bait fish as feeding.

All fish possess a mucous layer over their skin, which serves multiple protective functions, including shielding the fish from parasites and pathogens, and aiding in osmoregulation—the balance of salts and water within their bodies. Physical contact, such as touching fish with bare hands or using a dry net, can damage this slime layer. Once in a holding pen, this layer can regenerate through proper nutrition and water quality management, but until then, the fish remain susceptible.

Particularly for marine baitfish, which have lower salt concentrations in their blood compared to their environment, stress can lead to significant water loss from their bodies into the surrounding water, causing dehydration and other physiological issues.

When handling bait fish like ballyhoo, goggle eye, or threadfin caught by hook and line, it is preferable to use a dehooking device to transfer them directly into the live well without physical contact. When removing fish from a live well or pen, avoid overcrowding the net and opt for a "wet net," where the fish are transported in water, to minimize damage.

On docks significantly higher than the water, stocking a pen without causing stress can be challenging. Traditional methods, such as "dry docking" where the pen is loaded on the dock and then placed in the water, can remove much of the slime layer and cause physical injuries to species like pinfish, whose spiny rays may injure other fish. While this might not pose an immediate problem if the fish are used quickly, it can reduce their longevity and lead to rapid fungal infections.

For those whose docks are far from the water, using a length of 4 or 6-inch diameter PVC sewer pipe can facilitate loading the pens more gently. Angling the pipe towards the water and sliding fish down into their cage can significantly improve bait quality. Similarly, studies with salmon and trout have shown that even dropping fish from a height (such as from a bridge into a river) can result in good survival rates, provided the volume of water is adequate.

Keys Feeds includes various ingredients and nutrients designed to increase stress resistance and enhance the slime layer's thickness. Specialty ingredients boost enzyme levels in the mucous layer, enhancing the skin's protective barrier against parasites and pathogens. While Keys Feeds is formulated to support fish health, starting with undamaged fish always yields the best outcomes.