Services

The Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) comprises six departments and the Research Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture (HAKI). Aquaculture-related R&D activities in the institute are centering around the following topics:

• The development of innovative fish farming and reproduction technologies for species of commercial interest.

• Development of aquafeed recipes for freshwater species based on locally produced protein ingredients.

• Mapping the genetics and reproductive biology of existing and new commercial fishes using -omic techniques.

The Institute has an extensive educational portfolio across the entire range of higher education training (BSc, MSc, and PhD). It is active in professional adult education (specialized in-service training).

MATE-RAS is a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) composed of five independent units: I) larviculture system for Perciformes and Cyprinids (12 × 250L cylindro-conical tanks and 12 × 2L egg incubation Zug jars); II) larviculture system for sturgeons and catfish (8x250L raceway type tanks, 6 × 8L egg incubation Zug jars); III) 18-tank juvenile system composed of three identical and separated systems (6 × 1 m3 tanks) with independently managed temperature (15-25°C ); IV) 27-tank complex system (27 × 2 m3 tanks); V) quarantine system (3 × 5 m3 raceway tanks suitable for seasonal and out-of-season reproduction trials).

MATE RAS is suitable for trials on breeders, eggs, larvae, and juveniles in the majority of European fish species and African catfish. Support staff is skilled in the technological solutions for propagation, from broodstock management, handling, controlling light and temperature for fluctuating propagation seasons, hormonal induction, and in-vitro egg maturation. Also, MATE RAS offers a wide range of trial possibilities on larvae and juveniles in various fields (genetics, welfare, nutrition).

Bioresources available

In the MATE RAS installation, applicants will be able to select from next fish species: Different selective lines of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), tench (Tinca tinca), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), European catfish (Silurus glanis) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

The development stage for trials is supposed to be chosen from larval to juvenile or growing out stages. On special request, breeders of Perciformes and cyprinids could be provided.

Support offered

Daily maintenance of the trial, monitoring and data collection.

Modality of access

Potential users are advised to communicate with us at least six months before the planned trial initiation so we can offer our assistance and integrate the plan into our agenda. Likewise, the applicants are advised to consider potential seasonality of requested bioresources (larva, fry).

The Modality of access is based on unit costs. One unit of access includes tank use (1 system for one week), consumables, and water quality monitoring. Partial access to 18-tank juvenile and 27-tank complex systems is possible if TA needs are harmonised with overlapping trials.