Effects of the timing of initial feeding on growth and survival of spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvae

Abstract

The effects of delayed first feeding on growth and survival of spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvae were examined under controlled conditions. Morphometric characters [yolk-sac volume, oil globule volume, head depth (H(D)), body depth (B(D)), eye diameter (E(D)), musculature height (M(H)), mouth diameter (M(D)) and total length (L(T))], body mass (M), specific growth rate (S(GR)) and survival were evaluated under different first-feeding time (2, 3, 4 and 5 days after hatching). Larvae began to feed exogenously at 2 days after hatching (DAH) and the point of no return (P(NR)) occurred between 5 and 6 DAH at 23 degrees C, range +/-1.0 degrees C. The yolk volume of larvae first-fed at 2 days had a significant difference compared with that of larvae first-fed at 3, 4 and 5 days on 3 and 4 DAH. The larvae first-fed at 2 days achieved comparatively better growth performance than that of 3, 4 and 5 days. On 5 DAH, all morphometric characters had significant differences between 2 and 5 days and 2 and 4 days initial feeding, respectively. Total mortality was recorded on 9 DAH for the larvae first-fed at 5 days. On 12 DAH, significant differences were observed between 2 and 4 days and 3 and 4 days initial feeding for all morphometric characters. From 16 DAH to the end of experiment, all growth variables of the larvae first-fed at 2 days were significantly higher than those in other treatments. The S(GR) (2-9 DAH) first-fed at 2 and 3 days were significantly higher than 4 and 5 day treatments, and the S(GR) (9-16 DAH) first-fed at 2 days was significantly higher than 3 and 4 day treatments. There was no significant difference, however, of S(GR) (16-28 DAH) among treatments. Survival rate was significantly higher at 2 days initial feeding (27.42%) when compared with 3 (15.96%) and 4 days (7.92%) initial feeding at the end of experiment. The present study suggests that the first feeding of S. scherzeri larvae should be initiated at 2 days after hatching for achieving good growth and survival.

First feeding and subsequent growth performances in piscivorous larvae of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Perciforms: Sinipercidae)

“…The results showed that larval growth of Chinese perch was sensitive to the timing of first feeding. Similar results have also been found in spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri, which is also piscivorous at the time first feeding (Zhang et al 2009). In contrast, larvae of most fish species that are not piscivorous at first feeding time, such as Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus (Yoseda et al 2006) and Asian sea bass (Kailasam et al 2007), do not show any difference in growth when fed before or at the time of complete yolk absorption.…”

“…The larvae of Chinese perch, similar to spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvae (Zhang et al 2009) and Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius larvae (Shoji et al 2002), only feed on live fish larvae at the time of first feeding (Chiang 1959;Liang et al 2008). Piscine prey is more evasive than plankton prey in general and requires higher foraging ability of the predator (Shoji and Tanaka 2006).…”

“…L T was measured to the nearest 0.1 mm using a stereoscopic microscope with an ocular micrometer. M was measured using an analytical balance (AB204 Mettler, 0.1 mg) after blotting the larvae with water absorbent paper (Zhang et al 2009). Prey mass was not subtracted from the larvae.…”

Genetic diversity and genetic structure of consecutive breeding generations of golden mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri Steindachner) using microsatellite markers

“…In recent years, numerous studies on the propagation, farming, and nutrition of S. scherzeri have been reported (Zhao et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2009;Tu et al, 2011), while few studies have focused on genetic variability and the population structure of reared populations. In this study, by using microsatellite markers, we estimated the genetic variation in 5 generations of a selected breeding line of golden mandarin fish, which has been established through collaboration between the Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, and the Jing-Bo Hatchery in Dandong, Liaoning Province.…”

Expression and functional analyses of two essential myosin light chains from the fast white muscle of the spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri

“…The Chinese mandarin fish (CMF) is the most important aquaculture species in China as well as in Eastern Asia [12]. CMF includes seven subspecies, but only two of them, S. chuatsi, and S. scherzeri, have become widely aquaculture species.…”