Acceptance and Consumption of Food by Striped Bass and Hybrid Larvae |
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| Authors: | Haluk Tuncer Reginal M. Harrell Edward D. Houde |
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| Affiliation: | The University of Maryland. Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, Horn Point Environmental Laboratories. P.O. Box 775, Cambridge, Maryland 21613 USA;The University of Maryland, Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons, Maryland USA |
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| Abstract: | Food acceptance, consumption and weaning times were investigated for striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) and hybrid striped bass ( M. saxatilis × M. chrysops ) larvae. Experimental treatments consisted of: control groups of striped bass (SC) and hybrids (HC) fed Artemia nauplii; hybrids fed formula food (HF); and hybrids weaned from Artemia nauplii to formula food at 11–15 days (HF1), and 18–22 days (HF2) posthatch. The formula diet did not support growth and resulted in total mortality of the HF hybrids by the third week posthatch. HF1 fish had significantly slower growth and lower survival than HF2 of HC. The HF2, HC and SC groups had similar growth and survival, which indicated no heterosis in hybrids. There were no differences in Artemia nauplii consumption by the SC and HC groups. Daily consumption increased exponentially for both groups (0.8 to 50–60 cal/day/larva between 7 and 30 days posthatch). Weight specific consumption (WSC) decreased initially and then increased for both groups. A mean WSC of 58% (range of 24–83%) was found for the combined SC and HC groups. Food conversion ratio, growth efficiency, caloric efficiency, and productive protein values were similar for striped bass and hybrid larvae. |
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