Light intensity preference of juvenile pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.)

Light intensity preference of the pikeperch was tested in 1‐m² tanks divided into four lateral compartments with a hole in the middle to allow the fish to move between compartments. Two experiments were carried out with both 0+ and 1+ pikeperch: one testing intensities from 25 to 300 lx and the other from 1 to 50 lx. Light preference was observed individually for 5 days at 8, 11, 14 and 17 h. On the first and fifth day, the preference was tested without differences in light intensity (control). In both experiments, both age groups showed preference for the lowest available light intensity. Preference for low light intensity in pikeperch may be related to innate activity and feeding behaviour and to avoidance of harmful effects of light. It is suggested that under aquaculture operations, pikeperch should be reared under very dim conditions.     

Pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), catch in relation to juvenile density and water temperature in Pärnu Bay, Estonia

Abstract The abundance of 0+ pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), in trawls was compared with water temperature, water level and commercial catches 6–9 years later. The abundance of juveniles in autumn was positively correlated with the water temperature but not with water level in May or in June. The sum of a year abundance of juveniles showed a strong correlation with the catch years later. This abundance and the cumulative water temperature between August and October inclusive in five consecutive years one year prior to recruitment into the commercial fishery explained 86% of the variation in catches. This empirical model indicates that catches of pikeperch depend on both juvenile abundance and water temperature.     

Weaning of juvenile pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca L., and perch, Perca fluviatilis L., to formulated feed

Weaning success of pond‐cultured pikeperch and wild‐caught perch (mean length 51 and 48 mm respectively) was evaluated using different weaning techniques and different formulated feeds. Juveniles that were fed formulated feed grew as well as or better than juveniles that were weaned successively using zooplankton or yolk. Four different formulated feeds (agglomerated marine larvae feed, marine larvae feed, trout feed and a semi‐moist feed) were evaluated regarding specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor and a subjective stomach fullness estimate. The agglomerated marine larvae feed gave significantly better weaning performance than the other feeds regarding all parameters (SGR = 7.3% day^?1 and 3.4% day^?1 for pikeperch and perch respectively).     

Temperature dependent growth and yield of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, in Finnish lakes

Abstract  A non-linear growth model was used to evaluate the effects of temperature and age on annual length increments of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), in seven lakes in Finland. Length increments were derived by back-calculation using the Fraser–Lee method. Annual length increments increased from age 1 to age 3 and then decreased, while at the same time length increments and air temperature had positive correlation until age 12. Age- and size-structured yield per recruit models were used in two lakes to evaluate the effects of temperature and gillnet mesh size on pikeperch yield. In these two lakes maximum yield could be obtained with 60 and 70 mm (bar length) gill nets. In the second lake, as typically in Finland, 45–50 mm gill nets are the most frequently used. The use of larger mesh size gill nets would increase pikeperch yield from 685 to 1000 g per recruit based on the present mean temperature. In both lakes increase in temperatures would increase yield if mesh size is simultaneously increased. Higher pikeperch yield can be expected in the future because of climate warming.     

Effects of brewer’s yeast extract on growth performance and health of juvenile pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.)

Juvenile European pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, were fed commercial feed (group C) or experimental feed supplemented with NuPro^® nucleotide‐rich Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast protein (extract obtained through a cell wall removal process) in doses of 20, 40 or 60 g kg^?1 feed (groups N2, N4, N6) for 8 weeks. Growth, non‐specific immunity parameters, histological structure of the liver and intestine, proximate whole‐body composition and blood biochemical parameters were assayed. It was noted that brewer’s yeast extract has immunomodulatory proprieties. NuPro^® in doses of 40 and 60 g kg^?1 feed strongly stimulated non‐specific (innate) cellular and humoral immunity in pikeperch. The experimental feed did not have a significant impact on pikeperch growth (P > 0.05). The proximate composition of the fish bodies and the hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic (VSI) indices were also not affected, which indicated that the tested diets had no negative impact on the metabolism or deposition of nutrients in fish tissues. The lower levels of transaminases AST and ALT, which were noted in the groups with the two highest doses of NuPro^® (P < 0.05), might indicate improved liver function. It was also demonstrated that the brewer’s yeast extract stimulates the absorption activity of intestinal epithelial cells.     

Vertical distribution of planktivorous 0+ pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), in relation to particulate or filter feeding

The main prey of 0+ pikeperch in the pelagic zone of the Sulejow Reservoir was Leptodora kindtii and copepods, which together constituted only about 20% of the zooplankton by number in the water. Leptodora kindtii predominated in pikeperch food close to the surface, and copepods in deeper water. A depth-dependent shift in feeding mode from large particle selection to filtering, as an adaptation to reduce intraspecific competition and avoid predatory pressure in the upper part of the water column, was suggested. Specimens with less stomach content were observed more frequently closer to the surface. They were exposed to heavy predation from adult conspecifics, which prevented them from foraging efficiently, although they were able to feed on larger zooplankton because of better penetration by moonlight.     

The effect of 11 β-hydroxyandrostenedione on pikeperch Stizostedion lucioperca (L.)

Oral administration of 11 β-hydroxyandrostenedione was used to sex inverse juvenile Stizostedion lucioperca (L.) reared under intensive culture conditions. Androgen was mixed into the commercial trout food in the following doses: 0, 30, 60 and 90 mg kg^?1 diet. Administration (for 21 days) of 60 mg 11 β-hydroxyandrostenedione kg^?1 of the diet produced 93% males and 7% bisexual fish. In hormone-treated groups, no morphological changes were observed in the liver. No significant differences were observed in growth or in the hepatosomatic index between the androgen-treated groups and the control group.     

Winter mortality of young-of-the-year pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca)

Abstract— The wintering success of young-of-the-year pikeperches ( Stizostedion lucioperca ) was examined in the laboratory during the winter of 1993-1994. From September to November half the fishes were offered artificial fishfood; the others received plankton with river water. Pikeperch did not eat the fishfood properly, and poorer condition of the smallest fish fed artificially was reflected in a lower amount of lipid in the whole fish at the beginning of the experiment in November. The autumnal diet played an important role in determining the wintering success even when the effect of size was removed. In contrast, feeding during the experiment did not affect survival. However, feeding fishes had more lipid at the end of the experiment in April than starved ones and their protein content also increased during the winter.     

Food composition, habitat use and growth of stocked and native Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in Lake Muddusjärvi, Finland

Habitat use, growth and food composition of native and stocked Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), were studied in the subarctic Lake Muddusjärvi, northern Finland, to investigate reasons for poor stocking success. Samples were collected with pelagic and epibenthic gill nets. Stocked and native charr occurred in similar epibethic habitats, whereas pelagic habitat was avoided. Native charr grew fast after shifting to piscivory. Growth rate of stocked charr was slow because only a small proportion of stocked fish became piscivorous during the first year after stocking. During the first lake year, stocked charr divided into slow-growing planktivores and fast-growing piscivores. Piscivorous stocked and native charr consumed only whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), as their prey. Small-sized (<10 cm) whitefish were preferred when shifting to piscivory.     

Movements and habitat use by pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca (L.)) in a hydropeaking reservoir

Abstract –  We used radio telemetry to measure the habitat use and movements of 20 tagged pikeperch (44–59 cm) in the hydropeaking Pyhäkoski Reservoir, Finland, during June 1999–2000. The hydrological conditions in the 8-km-long reservoir were measured and then modeled over eight discharge rates between 30 and 700 m³ · s⁻¹. Pikeperch preferred relatively low water velocities and deep water depths especially during the winter. During the summer, pikeperch moved actively in different parts of the reservoir. No relationship was found between hydroelectric plant operations and distances moved by pikeperch during the summer. Movements peaked in autumn but decreased during the winter to a restricted area. After 1 year of monitoring, 4 out of 20 tagged pikeperch remained in the Pyhäkoski Reservoir, three had died when descending from hydroelectric dams, 10 had descended downstream to other reservoirs or sea, two were captured by local fishermen, and one fish's signal was lost for unknown reasons.     

Gillnet selectivity to pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), and perch, Percafluviatilis L., caught mainly wedged

Abstract. The size selectivity of gillnets to pikeperch, Stizosiedion lucioperca (L.), and perch, Perca fluviatilis L., caught mainly wedged, was estimated by the selective use of the deterministic model of Holt (1963). The selectivity characteristics for pikeperch based on samples in gillnets with 48-65-mm bar mesh were: k= 0·903 and σ= 4·93cm (fork length). When a higher efficiency of large-meshed nets is accounted for, the estimated selectivity curve shifts to the right. The condition of the pikeperch had a major influence on the position and shape o(the selectivity curve. The selectivity to perch was established with 25–35-mm gillnets in a year with a poor food supply: k= 0·723 and σ= 2·59cm (fork length). Estimates based on literature data from an exploited perch population showed a much lower k= 0σ639 (total length) (σ= 2·69cm).     

Shift happens: Evaluating the ability of autumn stocked walleye Sander vitreus to shift to natural prey

Hatchery propagation techniques, such as pellet-rearing, can result in altered feeding behaviour. Walleye Sander vitreus (Mitchill) is a commonly propagated sportfish, yet little is known regarding its ability to switch to live prey post-stocking. The objectives were to evaluate temporal changes in diet composition and condition as well as evaluate the relationship between total length and presence of different prey consumed by stocked walleye fry and fingerlings. Fingerling walleye had higher average proportions of empty stomachs and benthic invertebrates but less fish that stocked walleye fry. The presence of zooplankton, benthic invertebrates or fish was not related to walleye length. Walleye condition was similar between cohorts and did not change over days post-stocking. Percent similarity index values between cohorts were variable (0.0 to 67.9%). It was concluded that stocked walleye fingerlings consume lower quality prey items than stocked fry counterparts at least up to 49-day post-stocking, which may have implications for post-stocking survival.     

Growth in juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) stimulated with yeast,Saccharomyces cerevisiae,extract

Thanks to the content of valuable bioactive substances, yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is finding wider applications in aquaculture and marine fish husbandry. Highly bio‐available and bio‐assimilable yeast extracts, which are obtained through processes that remove cell walls, are of special interest. The current study examined the impact of yeast extracts added to commercial feed at concentrations of 2% (group F2), 4% (group F4) and 6% (group F6) on growth, blood biochemistry parameters, liver and intestinal morphology, proximate body composition and the content of free amino acids in the muscle tissues of European pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (initial body weight = 10 g). At the termination of the experiment that ran for 60 days, the highest increases in body weight were noted in all the groups of fish that had received yeast extract (final body weight ≈ 35 g vs. control group ≈ 31 g). The daily and specific growth rates indexes were the highest in group F6. The alanine aminotransferase activity in this group was half of that in the control group (group C) (p < .05). The lowest levels of plasma bilirubin were noted in groups F4 and F6, while these groups had the highest hepatosomatic indexes that differed significantly to those of group C (p < .05). Microscopic analysis of the intestines indicated significant growth in the enterocyte height and supranuclear zone, or the so‐called absorption space, as the quantity of yeast extract added to the diets increased. Yeast supplementation was not noted to have a significant impact on the proximate body composition or the contents of free amino acids in the fish muscle tissues. In conclusion, the lowest analysed dose of yeast (i.e. 2% yeast extract) stimulates the growth of pikeperch.     

Effect of diets on growth and reproductive development of juvenile pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), reared under intensive culture conditions

Juvenile pikeperch 3.66 ± 0.23 cm total length (TL) and 0.32 ± 0.05 g were reared in water at 22 ± 0.5^°C and fed with live zooplankton or alternatively a commercial trout feed. Fish fed with dry diet grew faster and had higher condition factor than fish fed live zooplankton. Sex differentiation in pikeperch was visible at different stages of ontogenesis, but was related to the fish growth rate. The gonads offish that were 3.43-5.69 cm TL revealed undifferentiated characteristics. Clear indication of oogenesis in females was observed in pikeperch at 7.9 cm TL and 3.47 g, whereas evident spermatogenesis was not observed till the end of the experiment.     

Longer wavelengths of light improve the growth, intake and feed efficiency of individually reared juvenile pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.)

We tested the effects of monochromatic light on the specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake and feed efficiency (FE) of juvenile pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.). Pikeperch were reared individually for 42 days in aquaria covered with blue, green, yellow or red gelatin filters or white paper (control; n =5). Linear regression analysis indicated a significant positive effect of longer wavelengths of light on the condition factor (CF), FE and SGR. The final weight, SGR and CF were significantly higher in fish reared under red than under white light, and FE was better under green, yellow and red light than under white light (Dunnett's post hoc test, P <0.05) while blue was comparable to white light in terms of the measured parameters. After the growth trial, the spectral sensitivity of photoreceptor cells in the retina was tested using microspectrophotometry, which revealed the presence of rods with λ_max at ca. 530 nm and two cone classes, absorbing maximally at ca. 535 and 603 nm, all containing a porphyropsin-based pigment. These results suggest that the presence of mid and long wavelength-sensitive cones enhances visual sensitivity under mid-wavelength and long-wavelength environments, and thus supports the finding that longer wavelengths of incoming light can improve FE and SGR of the cultivated pikeperch.     

Conventional and molecular cytogenetics of the pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.)

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) is a percid fish species of high commercial value and potential for being aquacultured in Europe. As such, pikeperch needs to be karyologically studied with special attention dedicated to arrangement of the homologous chromosomes into pairs and chromosomal location of the chosen DNA sequences. The karyotype of the pikeperch consists of 48 small chromosomes: One pair of metacentric chromosomes, 15 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes and eight pairs of subtelo‐acrocentric chromosomes (FN = 80). Original data on the chromosomal distribution of early and late replication regions, segments resistant to AluI, DdeI, HinfI and HaeIII restriction endonucleases and identification of the C‐banded heterochromatin presented herein have been used to arrange pikeperch chromosomes into the karyotype. After Primed in situ labeling (PRINS) technique with primers enabling amplification of 5S rDNA sequences, hybridization spots observed on the short (p) arms of two the largest pikeperch submetacentric chromosomes (no. 2). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with telomeric PNA (Peptide Nucleic Acid) probe enabled recognition of the conservative telomeric DNA sequences on the pikeperch chromosomes. No interstitial signals were observed. The specimens studied did not show any morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes.     

Effect of feeding regime and temperature on ongrowing results of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.)

This study aimed to determine the effect of feeding rates and water temperatures on the growth, feed utilization and size heterogeneity changes in subadult pikeperch. Fish with an average weight of 84±19 g were fed with a commercial trout diet for 18 weeks at a water temperature of 20 °C and 25 °C. Four feeding rates (PSFR) were predicted at both temperatures, which corresponded to 1.0%, 1.25%, 1.50% and 2.0% of body weight per day (bw day⁻¹) for the first, and to 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2% and 1.4% of bw day⁻¹ for the second 9 weeks respectively. At the end of the experiment, the individual weight averaged 273±82 g. Pikeperch showed a better growth rate [specific growth rate (SGR)] and apparent feed conversion rates (AFCR) at the higher temperature. Thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC) was better at the lower temperature. The values of SGR, TGC and AFCR significantly increased with increasing PSFR at both temperatures. The values of TGC plotted against the computed feeding rates allowed estimation of the maximum feeding rates (1.25% and 1.15% of bw day⁻¹ for pikeperch of 150–180 g at 25 and 20 °C respectively). Size heterogeneity changes were affected neither by the feeding rate nor by temperature.     

Food of an introduced population of pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca L., in Lake Egirdir, Turkey

Abstract. Pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca L., introduced into Lake Egirdir, in south-western Turkey, in 1955 grew well and formed the basis of an export fishery. Recently their size has declined and there are now so few of filletable size that the fishery has reverted to supplying purely local needs. Only 2 of the original 11 fish species are still found in the lake and this study examined the possibility that the decline in size of the pikeperch might be related to diet. It was found that invertebrates remained the main food of pikeperch in this lake till they reached a much larger size than elsewhere and that cannibalism was much higher than had previously been reported. The indications were therefore that there was a lack of forage fish.     

Effect of 17 α-methyltestosterone on gonadal differentiation in pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca L.

Morphological and histological studies demonstrated that 17 α-methyltestosterone (MT) affects sex differentiation and can be used to control the phenotypic sex of pikeperch. Stizostedion lucioperca L. Treatment (for 21 days) of pikeperch (initially 2.2 g wet weight) with MT at 30 mg kg^-1 diet induced germ cells inversion in approximately 46.67% of individuals (although 96.67% of the fish were classified as males). An increase in treatment duration (60 and 90 mg kg^-1) increased the percentage of female, intersex and sterile fish. Slower growth rates of all the fish treated with MT in comparison to the control groups were demonstrated. However, no significant differences in conditions and mortalities between the MT treated fish and controls were observed.