Effects of Stocking Density on the Blind-side Hypermelanosis of Cultured Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract

To determine whether rearing density affects the hypermelanosis on the blind side (ambicoloration) of olive flounders Paralichthys olivaceus, we reared fry with an unpigmented non-eyed (blind) side in duplicate at densities of 150 individuals/<TEX>$m^2$</TEX> (commercial production density: control) and 450 individuals/<TEX>$m^2$</TEX> (high density group) for 90 days in 1-t dark-green fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP) tank. We recorded feed intake, feed conversion efficiency (FE), growth and survival, and measured the ratios of staining blind-side area (staining area) and ambicolored fish every 30 days. Daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion efficiency (FE), growth rate, condition factors, and survival rate were calculated at the end of the experiment. Although the FE was higher in the high-density compared to the control, the two density groups showed similar feed intakes, growth, and survival. The ratio of staining area as well as the ratio of ambicolored fish significantly were significantly higher in the high-density group than in the control from days 30 to 60, but significantly increased and evened out by the end of the experiment (P<0.05). In conclusion, we determined that rearing density is not the main cause of the blind-side hypermelanosis, but found that increasing the rearing density can accelerate the ambicoloration in olive flounders.