Initial swim bladder inflation in intensively reared Australian bass larvae, Macquaria novemaculeata (Steindachner) (Perciformes: Percichthyidae)

• Published in: Aquaculture Vol. 86; no. 4; pp. 431 - 442
• Main Authors: Battaglene, S.C., Talbot, R.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.1990; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: ALEVINES; Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; BAR; Biological and medical sciences; BONY FISHES; DISORDERS; FISH LARVAE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; LARVE DE POISSON; LUBINA; Macquaria novemaculeata; Marine; PECES OSEOS; Pisciculture; POISSON OSSEUX; SEA BASS; SWIM BLADDER; TRASTORNOS; TROUBLE; VEJIGA NATATORIA; Vertebrate aquaculture; VESSIE NATATOIRE; Brackish water environment; Farming animal; Intensive rearing; Mortality; Environmental factor; Oceania; Salinity; Vertebrata; Swimbladder; Light; Pisces; Pisciculture; Development; Australia; Dissolved oxygen
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/0044-8486(90)90331-G

Laboratory experiments conducted on newly hatched Australian bass ( Macquaria novemaculeata) larvae in 60-l aquaria demonstrated that initial swim bladder inflation took place 6–11 days after hatch at a temparature of 19±1°C. While inflation occurred at the time when exogenous feeding normally started, feeding was not a requirement for inflation. Larvae were small (4.4–4.6 mm), negatively phototactic and lightly pigmented at the time of inflation. The mean number of larvae with dilated (liquid filled) swim bladders increased from 0.3% on day 7 to 23.0% on day 10. Survival was not significantly affected by continuous light (100–200 lux), salinity (10 and 30‰) or aeration (0–3000 ml/min). Under conditions of darkness, salinities above 25‰ and low to zero aeration, 66.8–72.0% of larvae inflated their swim bladders by day 11. Continuous exposure to fluorescent light (100–200 lux) almost totally inhibited inflation with only 0.1±0.4% (mean±SD) of larvae inflating their swim bladders. Exposure to light on a 12:12 light:dark photoperiod at intensities of 0.3–50 lux reduced inflation to 18.3–11.0%. Inflation was also reduced at a salinity of 10‰ (32.3±23.0%) and under high aeration, 1000–3000 ml/min (18.4±9.2%).