Influence of incubation temperature on body movements of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) embryos and on size at hatch

• Published in: Aquaculture research Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 453 - 457
• Main Authors: Peterson, Richard H, Martin-Robichaud, Deborah J, Harmon, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.04.2004
• Subjects: Atlantic cod; body movements; Gadus morhua; hatching time; Marine; temperature
• ISSN: 1355-557X; 1365-2109
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2004.01037.x

Body movements of cod (Gadus morhua L.) embryos reared from fertilization to hatch at 5.4°C were observed at various stages of development and at six experimental temperatures ranging from 0–10°C. Frequency of cod embryo body movements increased from zero at 42 degree‐days post fertilization to maximal at 73–82 degree‐days (1 or 2 days prior to hatch). Embryos were most active at 2°C (mean of 5.5 movements per 10 min), with activity declining to less than 1/10 min at 8–10°C. Lengths of hatched cod larvae reared at a series of constant temperatures (from 4–10°C) from fertilization to hatch were greater at lower incubation temperatures. Incubation temperatures of 2–4°C were found to be optimal for incubation of cod eggs.