Effects of food particle size on Perca fluviatilis larval growth

Abstract

The effects of the size of food particles on the uptake of an artificial diet by perch (Perca fluviatilis) larvae, reared in tanks for 15 days following hatching, were studied. Perch accepted a dry diet with particles smaller than 200 mm. Average survival rates ranged from 11 to 25 % with daily specific growth of 0.03 mm and 0.08 mg in length and weight, respectively. There were no significant differences in the growth of perch fed with food particle sizes in the ranges 0 -80, 80 -125, 125-160 and 160-200 mm. The best results were obtained, nevertheless, with particle sizes smaller than 125 mm during the first week and larger than 125 mm in the second week. The mouth size of larvae doubled from 0.36 to 0.75 mm and showed a significant and positive correlation with larvae length. At the and of the experiment, the lipids content in larvae was measured, especially the triacylglycerols fraction. The saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids in larvae reflected those in their food. The unsaturated C22 : 6 (n-3) and C18 :2 (n-6) were the main component of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids series in perch.

Effects of Tank Wall Color and Up‐welling Water Flow on Growth and Survival of Eurasian Perch Larvae (Perca fluviatilis)

“…The high mortality seen in all treatments during the first 3 wk of rearing could to some extent be explained by the size of Artemia nauplii, although ingested Artemia nauplii were observed in 3‐d‐old perch larvae. A relationship between mouth gape size and total length has been demonstrated in perch larvae (Tamazouzt et al 1998), and a higher survival in the first few days could have probably been achieved by supplying the newly hatched perch with rotifers in a combination with Artemia nauplii. Tamazouzt et al (2000) demonstrated positive effects of light‐colored tanks on both survival and growth in Eurasian perch larvae fed dry feed for 14 d posthatch.…”

Particularities of early life stages in temperate freshwater fish species: comparisons with marine species and implications for aquaculture practices

“…To our knowledge, no extensive review on the nutritional requirements of freshwater larvae has been performed which matches the works on marine fish species (Planas & Cunha 1999; Cahu & Zambonino‐Infante 2001; Langdon 2003; Cahu et al 2009; Conceição, Aragão et al 2010; Conceição, Yúfera et al 2010). However, it is clear that problems due to sub‐nutrition or other environmental parameters observed in marine fish species (such as low growth and high mortalities, as well as malformations) are also often encountered in the larviculture of freshwater species such as rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Wolnicki et al 2009), Eurasian perch (Tamazouzt, Leray, Escaffre & Terver 1998; Tamazouzt, Chatain & Fontaine 2000) or pikeperch (Schlumberger, Proteau & Albiges 1993; Hamza, Mhetli, Khemis, Cahu & Kestemont 2008). Therefore, a better understanding of the specific nutritional requirements of larvae of freshwater fish species is needed.…”

Tank wall colour and light level affect growth and survival of Eurasian perch larvae (Perca fluviatilis L.)

“…From day 4 to the end of the experiment, larvae received 6 meals/day (9 :00, 10 :30, 12 :00, 13 :30, 15 :00 and 16 :30) composed of a formulated diet only (dry matter DM : 95%, crude protein : 50.7% DM, total lipids : 10.7%; Pican Company, France). The food, consisting of 80-125 µm particles (Tamazouzt et al, 1998), was yellow-brown. For each meal, food was distributed in excess.…”