Behaviour of early life stages in the siberian sturgeon

Abstract

In this chapter, field data and laboratory studies on the behaviour and development of Siberian sturgeon at early-life intervals have been reviewed and the available information assessed under two different points of view, the biological/ ecological approach and the aquaculture one. In this context, data on sturgeon behaviour have been correlated to different ecologically relevant environmental factors that may play a role in the distribution, recruitment and survival of young fish in the wild. In addition, behavioural data have been also considered under a hatchery scope, since fish behaviour may help to define an explicit criterion to assess the quality and fitness of fish, detect abnormal situations during rearing and optimise culture conditions. Four behavioural phases (swimming-up, rheotactism, schooling and, foraging and active dispersal) are observed from hatching to the juvenile phase. Different behavioural patterns are associated with an early-life interval and might allow fish to occupy different river habitats, directly influencing their distribution, survival and recruitment. In hatchery conditions, these phases may be used for evaluating larval quality and the stage of development.