Effects of turbulence on growth, survival and whole-body osmolality of larval southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma reared at different salinities
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Adam Mangino Jr. (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Ileana Clavijo
Abstract: The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a commercially important marine flatfish
that ranges from Albemarle Sound, NC to Corpus Christi Pass, TX but is absent in southern
Florida. Juveniles and adults are mainly found in estuaries and can tolerate a wide range of
salinities, making it an attractive species for aquaculture. Spawning methods are relatively well
developed for southern flounder, however one limitation to commercial-scale production of
fingerlings is that optimum environmental conditions for culturing the larval stage are not
completely known.
The optimum turbulence and salinity conditions for culture of southern flounder from
hatching to day 16 post-hatching (d16ph), were determined by stocking embryos into black 15-L
cylindrical tanks under four turbulence levels (20, 90, 170, and 250 mL/min of diffused aeration)
and two salinities (24 and 35 ppt) in a 4 x 2 factorial design. Larvae were provided with
enriched s-type rotifers from d2ph at a density of 10 ind./mL. Temperature was 19°C, light
intensity was 390 lux, and photoperiod was 18L: 6D.
Significant (p < 0.05) effects of turbulence on growth (Notochord length NL, wet wt., and dry
wt.) were observed. On d16ph growth (NL) increased with decreasing turbulence level and was
significantly greater at 20 (64.2 µm) and 90 mL/min (58.2 µm) than at 170 (56.3 µm) and 250
mL/min (57.2 µm). Survival declined primarily during the pre-feeding and first-feeding stages
through d8ph, then stabilized through the end of the study on d16ph. In contrast to growth
trends, survival (%) on d16ph increased with increasing turbulence levels and was significantly
greater at 170 (57.9 %) and 250 mL/min (54.0 %) than at 20 and 90 mL/min (21.4 and 26.2%,
respectively). Mean rotifer concentrations (24 hours after feeding) were significantly higher (P <
0.05) in the low turbulence treatments of 20 (4.48 rotifers/mL) and 90 mL/min (4.23 rotifers/mL) than in the high turbulence treatments of 170 and 250 mL/min (2.28 and 2.45 rotifers/mL,
respectively). Under both salinities, larval whole body osmolality (mOsm/kg) increased with
increasing turbulence levels and was significantly higher at 250 mL/min (427) than at 20 mL/min
(381). On d14ph, larvae in all treatments were positively buoyant in 35 ppt and negatively
buoyant in 24 ppt.
Results showed that growth of southern flounder larvae in 15-L tanks was maximized under
low turbulence levels of 20 and 90 mL/min, while survival was maximized at high turbulence
levels of 170 and 250 mL/min. Higher turbulence levels probably helped pre-feeding and early
feeding stage larvae, which lack a swim bladder and have weak swimming ability, to maintain
position in the water column and survival. The data suggested that, in feeding stage larvae, high
turbulence levels increased prey encounters and capture, but caused excessive swimming and,
hence, less energy available for growth. At high turbulence levels, stress of increased swimming
and lower prey availability (i.e., prey/larval ratios) due to higher larval survival contributed to
osmotic stress and slower growth. In contrast, larvae surviving in the lower turbulence
treatments benefited from higher prey availability and prey consumption and showed better
growth.
Based on the results of this study, turbulence levels should be maintained relatively high
during pre-feeding and early feeding stages and then decreased for mid to late feeding and premetamorphic
stage larvae.
Effects of turbulence on growth, survival and whole-body osmolality of larval southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma reared at different salinities
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Southern flounder--Effect of salt on, Southern flounder--Growth, Southern flounder--Research
- Subjects
- Southern flounder -- Effect of salt on
- Southern flounder -- Growth
- Southern flounder -- Research
Title | Location & Link | Type of Relationship |
Title Page | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/manginoa2005-1.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |
Table of Contents and Abstract | http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncw/f/manginoa2005-2.pdf | The described resource includes the related resource either physically or logically. |