Importance of swim bladder inflation and effect of lighting conditions on larviculture of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

Abstract

Seriola species are an important target fish for the aquaculture industry, and innovative techniques for their rearing have been developed in recent years. In Experiment 1 of this work, the growth of S. dumerili larvae (with and without a swim bladder) and diurnal changes in relative swim bladder volume were compared to elucidate the significance of swim bladder inflation success in larvae. Additional trials (Experiments 2 and 3) were conducted to elucidate the effect of “fade-in” and “fade-out” lighting conditions, in which artificial light intensity was gradually increased and/or decreased. The results indicate that larvae growth without a functional swim bladder was significantly inferior, even at the early stages of development. Suitable lighting conditions, such as “fade-in,” improved viability, and at least 30 min of “fade-out” effectively induced swim bladder inflation success in the larviculture of S. dumerili.