Optimal prey size for early turbot larvae (Scophthalmus maximus L.) based on mouth and ingested prey size

• Published in: Aquaculture
• Main Authors: Cunha, Isabel, Planas, Miguel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 1999
• Subjects: Scophthalmus maximus; Turbot; Prey size; Mouth size; Larval feeding; Fish larvae
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/57268; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(99)00040-X

8 páginas, 3 figuras, 2 tablas Mouth size and gut contents were examined in turbot Scophthalmus maximus L.larvae from first exogenous feeding to day 10. The larvae were fed on three organisms two Brachionus species and Artemia nauplii. differing in size. A logarithmic relationship was found between mouth size width and height.and standard length SL. of larvae, and a linear relationship between prey size and SL of larvae. Considering the mean size of prey found in the guts of larvae fed on a range of prey sizes, the optimal prey size was determined over the study period. The optimal prey width corresponded to 36"1% of the mouth height MH. The relationship between optimal prey size and mouth width MW.was more variable 40"4%. Therefore, the former relationship was found to be more adequate in determining optimal prey size. The optimal prey width for first feeding larvae day 2 posthatching.was found to be 144 mm, increasing to 225 mm at day 10. The relationships were described by mathematical equations that can be useful to optimise both ingestion and growth rates under rearing conditions. This study was supported by the Project No. AGF92-0185 C.I.C.Y.T., Spain. I. Cunha was supported by a fellowship from the J.N.I.C.T. Portugal. Peer reviewed