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Effects of Rearing Density on Total Length and Survival of Lake Sturgeon Free Embryos
Author(s) -
Bauman John M.,
Baker Edward A.,
Marsh Terry L.,
Scribner Kim T.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
north american journal of aquaculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.432
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1548-8454
pISSN - 1522-2055
DOI - 10.1080/15222055.2015.1037475
Subject(s) - biology , zoology , embryo , acipenser , oxygen , sturgeon , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , chemistry , organic chemistry
Abstract Experiments were conducted to identify aquaculture conditions that improve the growth and survival of free‐embryo Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens . We quantified the effects of rearing density, family, and dissolved oxygen concentration on free‐embryo TL and survival to the time of emergence. Experiments were conducted using free embryos from two full‐sibling families that were reared in four densities in 3.0‐L aquaria. A significant density and family effect on free‐embryo TL at emergence was documented. Total length (22.9 ± 0.16 mm [mean ± SE]) at emergence for a rearing density of 9,688 individuals/m 2 was significantly greater than the mean TL for rearing densities of 19,375 and 32,292 individuals/m 2 (22.4 ± 0.14 mm and 21.8 ± 0.17 mm, respectively). Mean TL at emergence differed significantly between families (22.8 ± 0.13 mm versus 22.1 ± 0.11 mm). Mean dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/L) decreased significantly as a function of increasing fish density. Mean dissolved oxygen concentration (7.89 ± 0.004 mg/L) for densities with 3,229 individuals/m 2 was significantly greater than the mean dissolved oxygen concentration for densities with 19,375 and 32,292 individuals/m 2 (7.77 ± 0.018 mg/L and 7.71 ± 0.035 mg/L, respectively). Mean proportional survival to emergence decreased as rearing density increased (0.976 ± 0.008 versus 0.928 ± 0.023; P = 0.97) from the 9,688‐individuals/m 2 treatment to the 32,292‐individuals/m 2 treatment. There was no significant difference in survival between families. Results reveal that the rearing density of free embryos should be considered because of its effects on TL and, to a lesser extent, survival at emergence. These results are useful for the development of standard operating procedures in traditional and conservation aquaculture facilities where free embryos are raised.