Abstract
American eels are declining throughout their range requiring a better understanding of physiological requirements of all life stages and optimal conditions for laboratory rearing and aquaculture. American glass eels (Anguilla rostrata) were housed for 3 weeks at 14d however, there were only marginal differences in final weight between the 18°C and 14°C treatments and no differences in length. Variation in length and weight generally increased as temperature increased with significant differences in the standard error of weight between 14°C and the 22°C and 26°C treatments and between 18°C and 26°C. Mortality was significantly greater than expected by chance at 26°C (7 deaths) and no mortality was observed at 14°C. Body condition (based on the residuals from the weight-length relationships), conversely, was lowest in the 14°C treatment. Considering all response variables, optimal laboratory rearing conditions were observed between 18°C - 22°C. Within a week of experimentation, evidence of gas bubble disease was observed and by completion noted in all treatments except at 14°C, likely as a function of decreased gas solubility at warmer temperatures. Levels of total gas pressure (103% - 108%) and Δp (28 - 54 mm Hg) values may account for the gas bubbles observed.
Highlights
Catadromous fish populations are declining globally and the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is no exception [1] [2]
Recent research suggests that the American eel serves as the primary host fish for successful reproduction of the freshwater mussel, Elliptio complanata, in parts of its range [14]
After 21 days of temperature experimentation, eel weight was significantly greater than initial values, suggesting that rearing conditions in our laboratory were favorable for glass eel growth
Summary
Catadromous fish populations are declining globally and the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is no exception [1] [2]. Eels have comprised a major proportion of the total fish biomass within some systems [7] [8] [9]. In the 1960s the American eel comprised 37% of the total weight and 20% of the abundance of fish species within the Flatbrook River system (NJ), a tributary to the Delaware River [9]. The impact of a continued decline of eel populations will amplify negatively on the river ecosystems it historically inhabited
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
