Optimizing the co-feeding strategy of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae using Artemia nauplii and formulated diet

Acipenser persicus Artemia nauplii Formulated diet Co-feeding

Authors

  • Naser Agh Artemia & Aquatic Animals Research Institute, Urmia University, Dr. Beheshty Avenue, Urmia, 57153, Iran.
  • Reza Asgari Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, the University of Tehran, P.O. Box: 31585-4314, Karaj, Iran
  • Farzaneh Noori Artemia & Aquatic Animals Research Institute, Urmia University, Dr. Beheshty Avenue, Urmia, 57153, Iran.
July 28, 2013

Downloads

High mortality and labor costs are associated with first-feeding sturgeon culture, particularly during the period of dietary transition from live to formulated feed. Therefore we investigated the effects of various feeding treatments on the survival and growth of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae during a 20-day culture period. Three replicate groups (250 fish/replicate) of first-feeding larvae were fed according to four main feeding regimes: (1) live food (live nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia urmiana); (2) indirect transition (5 days live food followed by gradual transition to formulated diet); (3) direct transition (using different combinations of live and formulated diet from the start feeding onwards); (4) formulated feed (FD) from the start feeding. Results indicated that growth and survival were higher in the indirect transition feeding regime than in other regimes. Based on our study, co-feeding of A. persicus should start five days after prior feeding with live food.