Open AccessInfluence of Stocking Density on Growth and Physiological Responses of Beluga, Huso huso (Brandt, 1869), and Ship Sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris (Lovetsky, 1828), Juveniles in a Flow‐through System
Author(s) -
Feshalami Mohammad Yooneszadeh,
Amiri Farokh,
Nikpey Mansour,
Mortazavizadeh Seyed Abdolsaheb,
Gisbert Enric,
Mozanzadeh Mansour Torfi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/jwas.12376
Subject(s) - huso , stocking , sturgeon , beluga , biology , acipenser , zoology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
The influence of three different initial stocking densities (low stocking density [ LSD ] = 1.5 kg/m 2 ; medium stocking density [ MSD ] = 3 kg/m 2 ; and high stocking density [ HSD ] = 6 kg/m 2 ) in flow‐through systems was evaluated on growth and welfare in beluga, Huso huso, and ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, juveniles for 2 mo. Fish were kept in 18 concrete square tanks (2.0 × 1.0 × 1.2 m 3 ) at 22.3 ± 0.4 C and under a natural photoperiod. In both species, the growth performance in terms of final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed intake significantly decreased with increasing stocking density ( P < 0.05). In both species, the percent of neutrophils increased after 60 d of trial ( P < 0.05). Moreover, hematocrit and white blood cell counts increased after 60 d of trial in ship sturgeon ( P < 0.05). Plasma immunoglobulin significantly decreased with increasing stocking density in both species. Plasma insulin‐like growth factor I decreased with increasing stocking density in beluga; however, it was not affected in ship sturgeon. Overall, these results showed that the LSD group in both species demonstrated more homogeneous and higher growth rate than the MSD and HSD groups.