The effect of temperature on the early development and starvation tolerance of yellow goosefish Lophius litulon

Abstract

The effect of temperature (15, 18, and 21°C) on the early development and starvation tolerance of yellow goosefish Lophius litulon was investigated. The periods of initiation of first feeding and starvation tolerance were shortened with increasing temperature. The period of first feeding varied from 5 days after hatching (DAH) at 15°C to 3 DAH at 21°C. Yellow goosefish larvae can survive for approximately 9-15 DAH (50% mortality period) without feeding in 15-21°C, but such an extended period of starvation is considered to increase the cumulative mortality.