Effect of feeding strategy on survival, growth, intestine development, and liver status of maraena whitefish Coregonus maraena larvae

Abstract

AbstractOptimizing larval rearing protocols is critical to successful intensive fish culture. We compared the efficacy of feeding strategies for larvae of maraena whitefish Coregonus maraena, a promising candidate for intensive aquaculture. Survival, growth indicators, intestine development, and liver status were compared in larvae fed live feed, commercial dried feed, and weaned from live to dried feed at 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 days post hatching (dph). Seven experimental groups in three repetitions used 5,250 larvae (2 dph, initial body weight = 7.4 ± 0.1 mg; initial total length = 13.0 ± 0.1 mm). This 30‐day trial showed initial weaning from live feed (Artemia sp.) to artificial diet after 15 days to be the optimal, with beneficial effects on growth, body weight, and larva yield. No differences in survival rate, size heterogeneity, and or condition factor were observed among groups. Live feed and weaning to artificial diet at the appropriate time was beneficial to intestine development, while feeding on artificial feed only was associated with severe intestine impairment. Liver pathology was not seen in any group.