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Effects of replacing live food with formulated diets on growth and survival rates in Persian sturgeon ( Acipenser persicus ) larvae
Author(s) -
Shakourian M.,
Pourkazemi M.,
Sadati M. A. Y.,
Hassani M. H. S.,
Pourali H. R.,
Arshad U.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0426.2010.01632.x
Subject(s) - acipenser , biology , larva , zoology , sturgeon , body weight , pellet , live food , fishery , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , aquaculture , endocrinology
Summary This study was conducted to adapt Persian sturgeon larvae to commercially prepared diets over a period of 35 days. A total of 6000 Acipenser persicus larvae (mean weight: 0.406 ± 0.047 g (Mean ± SD; n = 180) were randomly stocked into 12 concrete tanks (diameter: 2.5 m, height: 30 cm). Each tank was stocked with 500 individuals. Three diets were used: (i) a formulated diets in the form of a paste; (ii) a formulated diet in pellet form, and (iii) a paste diet combined with chopped chironomid larvae. A control group fed live food (Daphnia + chironomid larvae + gammarids) was also used. Growth rates in the group 3 were significantly different (P < 0.05) from the other two groups. Highest body weight (2.51 g) was gained in experimental group 3 and the lowest weight (1.17 g) was observed in the second group. Highest survival rate (91.5%) was recorded in the control group while the lowest rate (7.2%) was observed in experimental group 2. This study revealed that by a gradual replacement of live food during a period of 35 days Persian sturgeon larvae can be successfully weaned to formulated diets.