Effects of Temperature and Light on Growth of Yellow Perch and Walleye Using Formulated Feed

Abstract

Abstract Growth of age group 0 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) was studied when temperature and light conditions (photoperiod) were varied. Fish, fed formulated dry pellets, were kept for 14 weeks at 16 and 22 C in combination with 8- and 16-hour photoperiods. Growth ranged from 151 to 539% in the walleye and from 79 to 343% in the perch during the 14-week period. Best growth for both species was found at 22 C with a 16-hour photoperiod. The temperature of 22 C ± 1 is similar to the optimal temperature for growth of both fish in natural water. Growth of young walleye appeared to be temperature-dependent, whereas that of yellow perch was more photoperiod-dependent. The influence of temperature on the walleye growth was highly significant (P < 0.01) for all photoperiods used, whereas it was not significant for yellow perch. The effects of photoperiod on growth of walleye were not significant but they were for yellow perch (P < 0.05).