Effect of Culture Temperature on Growth, Survival, and Biochemical Composition of Yellow Perch Perca fiavescens

Abstract

AbstractJuvenile yellow perch Perca fiavescens were evaluated under controlled conditions in tanks for 13 wk to determine the effect of temperature on growth to advanced sizes under intensive culture conditions. Yellow perch weighing 6.6 ± 1.5 g were stocked into nine 4,755‐L tanks at 131 fish/m3 (625 perch/tank). There were three replicate tanks per temperature (20, 24, and 28 C). Perch were fed to apparent satiation twice daily using a 45% crude protein diet with 16% crude fat. After 93 d the perch in the 24 C treatment were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than those in the 20 C and 28 C treatments, which were not significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other. Yellow perch raised at 28 C had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratios and significantly lower (P < 0.05) survival and net protein utilization than perch raised at 20 C or 24 C. Whole body moisture was significantly higher in (P < 0.05) yellow perch raised at 20 C which also had significantly higher levels of arachidonic acid (20:4 n‐6) and docosohexaenoic acid (22:6 n‐3). The ratio of palmitic acid (16:0) and palmitoleic acid (16:1 n‐6) had a positive correlation (P < 0.05) with culture temperature. These data indicate that 24 C may be an optimum temperature for yellow perch. At 20 C survival and feed conversion are good but growth rates are reduced. Temperatures near 28 C appear sufficient to represent chronic stress conditions.