THE INFLUENCE OF STOCKING DENSITY ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF PIKEPERCH FRY (SANDER LUCIOPERCA L.) DURING WEANING FROM NATURAL TO DRY FEED

T. Hubenova, A. Zaikov, E. Katzarov, D. Terziiski

Abstract: Pond-nursed pike-perch (Sander lucioperca L.) fry were trained to artificial diet and reared under controlled condi-tions using two stocking densities (6 ind.l-1 and 12 ind.l-1). Two replicates per treatment were applied. 1520 individuals of juvenile pikeperch with mean initial total length (TL) of 2.54±0.04 mm, weight (W) of 0.18±0.01 g and condition factor (K) of 1.12±0.03, reared in pond were randomly distributed into 4 plastic tanks. Co-feeding of dried feed and frozen chironomids (Chironomidae) was used during the weaning period.
The experiment’s results show that the initial densities of pikeperch fry that were applied had no effect on the final results of rearing (growth, condition factor and survival) during the weaning from natural to artificial diets.
On the basis of the achieved results it is possible to recommend for the fishery practice the use of stocking density of 12 ind.l-1.

Keywords: fry; growth; Sander lucioperca L.; stocking density; survival; weaning

Date published: 2017-05-09