Effect of Different Rearing Conditions on Larval Feeding Activity, Food Consumption, Survival and Growth of Filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer Larvae

• Published in: Aquaculture Science Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 551 - 561
• Main Authors: Narita, Atsushi, Kashiwagura, Makoto, Saito, Hiroshi, Okada, Yoshihiro, Akiyama, Nobuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society for Aquaculture Science 15.07.2014
• Subjects: Feeding and growth; Larvae; Rearing conditions; Rotifera; Stephanolepis cirrhifer
• ISSN: 0371-4217; 2185-0194
• DOI: 10.11233/aquaculturesci.59.551

This study investigated the diurnal changes of feeding activity, daily food consumption (DFC) of hatchery-reared filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer larvae from 5 to 20 days after hatching (DAH), the effects of different densities of rotifers, different photoperiods on larval feeding, and its survival and growth. The larvae in all stages ingested food organisms only under lighted conditions. Especially, the number of food organisms in the gut increased 10-12 hours after exposure to light. When 5 DAH larvae were reared in different densities of rotifers, the DFC was higher as the density increased. When 10 DAH larvae were reared in different densities of rotifers, no difference was found in the DFC. The larvae were reared under two different lighting conditions: 24 hours of light exposure (24L:0D) and 12 hours of light exposure (12L:12D) from 1 to 6 DAH. The rate of larval growth and survival were higher under the 24 hours of light exposure conditions. Therefore, the larval feeding habits can be influenced by feeding densities and photoperiods. We especially believe consider that constant light exposure is effective at improving survival and growth of filefish larvae.