Influence of temperature on the growth and survivability of sichel larvae Pelecus cultratus reared under controlled conditions

Abstract

This study analyzed the influence of temperature on the rearing of sichel Pelecus cultratus larvae under controlled conditions. Five constant temperature regimes were tested: 14 °C, 18 °C, 22 °C, 26 °C and 30 °C. The larvae were reared for 30 days in aquaria with 50 dm3 working capacities. The larvae density was 40 individuals/dm3 and the fish larvae were fed live artemia nauplii. The assessment of the effect of thermal conditions during the rearing period on fish was based on the final size of fish, increment in the total length, relative growth ratio, survivability and condition (the Fulton index). At the end of the 30-day rearing period, it was determined that the largest larvae had been obtained in the 30 °C water (average weight 374.2 mg with average length 43.1 mm). The smallest larvae grew in the coldest water (14 °C), where their average weight was 32.2 mg with an average length of 19.4 mm. No negative effect of temperature was observed on the survivability rate of reared larvae, which oscillated around 91 ± 5 %. Sichel larvae are characterized by high tolerance and high survivability when reared in high-temperature water.