Maximum limits of organic and inorganic mercury in fish feed

The relatively high levels of mercury found in fish feeds might form a fish health and food safety risk. The present study aims to establish sublethal toxic threshold levels in fish and assess feed‐fillet transfer of dietary mercury. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr were fed for 4 months on fish meal‐based diets supplemented with mercuric chloride (0, 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 mg Hg kg^?1 dry weight (DW)) or methylmercuric chloride (0, 0.1, 0.5, 5 or 10 mg MeHg kg^?1 DW). At the end of the experiment, dietary inorganic mercury mainly accumulated in intestine (80% of body burden) and assimilation was low (6%). In contrast, methylmercury readily accumulated in internal organs and muscle (80% of body burden) and had a relatively high assimilation (23%). Highest accumulation of dietary inorganic mercury was observed in the gut and kidney. Fish fed 10 mg Hg kg^?1 had an early (after 2 months) significant increase in renal metallothionein (MT) level and intestinal cell proliferation, followed by intestinal pathological conditions after 4 months of exposure. At 100 mg Hg kg^?1, intestinal and renal function were reduced as seen from the significantly reduced protein and glycogen digestibility and increased plasma creatinine levels. For dietary methylmercury (MeHg), highest accumulation was found in blood and muscle. Intestinal cell proliferation and liver MT significantly increased at 5 mg MeHg kg^?1 after 2 months of exposure. At the end of the experiment, blood haematology was significantly affected in fish fed 5 mg MeHg kg^?1 and these fish exceeded the current food safety limit for mercury. Tissue MT induction and intestinal cell proliferation appeared to be useful and quantifiable early indicators of toxic mercury exposures. Based on the absence of induction of these early biological markers such as MT and cell proliferation, nonobserved effect levels (NOELs) could be set to 0.5 mg Hg kg^?1 for dietary methylmercury and 1 mg Hg kg^?1 for inorganic mercury. Lowest observed effect levels (LOELs) levels could be set to 5 mg kg^?1 for methylmercury and 10 mg Hg kg^?1 for inorganic mercury.     

Disinfection of striped trumpeter (Latris lineata) eggs with glutaraldehyde

This study assessed the effect of immersing striped trumpeter eggs in 0 (control), 200, 400, 800, 1600 or 3200 ppm glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes, two days before hatching. High concentrations of glutaraldehyde (1600 and 3200 ppm) resulted in no eggs hatching and only 1% of eggs hatched after treatment with 800 ppm glutaraldehyde. Hatching success of eggs treated with 0, 200 or 400 ppm glutaraldehyde did not differ (77 ± 6%, n = 3). However, only 2% of larvae from the control treatment survived to day 5 post-hatching, compared to 45 and 69%, respectively of the larvae from the 200 and 400 ppm glutaraldehyde treatment. By day 9 post-hatching, larvae from the 400 ppm glutaraldehyde treatment had significantly higher survival (59%) than larvae from the 200 ppm glutaraldehyde treatment (28%). Thiosulphate citrate bile salt sucrose agar (TCBS) medium confirmed the presence of bacteria within the seawater medium, on all control eggs and on 83% of eggs disinfected with 200 ppm glutaraldehyde, but no bacterial colonies formed on eggs treated with 400, 800, 1600 or 3200 ppm glutaraldehyde. This study found highest survival of striped trumpeter larvae from eggs disinfected with 400 ppm glutaraldehyde and suggests that increased survival was a result of reduced bacterial loading.     

Effect of thyroxine on growth and development in post-yolk-sac larvae of milkfish, Chanos chanos

Post-yolk-sac larvae of milkfish, Chanos chanos (commonly referred to as “fry”) were collected along the shore in the Philippines. Treatment of these long, slender and transparent larvae with L-thyroxine-sodium (Eltroxin, Glaxo) by immersion in 0.5 ppm solution (changed daily) markedly accelerated their growth and development. By day 15 of the treatment, the treated larvae had become silvery, opaque and adult-like in form, whereas the control larvae were still slender and transparent (or at best translucent) with incomplete silvering of the body. 0.1 ppm thyroxine was less effective. Discontinuation of the treatment after 8 days was also less effective as judged by the appearance and weight of the larvae on day 15.     

Instantaneous effect of dibromomethane on metamorphosis of larvae of the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus nudus and Strongylocentrotus intermedius

A volatile chemical, dibromomethane (DBM), produced from red coralline algae is known as a chemical inducer of larval metamorphosis of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus. We performed experiments exposing DBM to the larvae of S. nudus and Strongylocentrotus intermedius through a hydrophobic membrane. Metamorphic rates resulting from different diluted DBM solutions and exposure times were ascertained. The highest metamorphic rate, more than 80% in both species, was found after 1 h exposure to 1/2 diluted DBM. With this dilution, more than 80% of S. nudus and S. intermedius larvae metamorphosed 1 h after start of the experiment after only 10 and 5 min exposure, respectively, which corresponded to the low concentrations of 52–61 ppm and 34–43 ppm DBM by GCMS analysis, respectively. These findings suggest that DBM has an instantaneous effect on high success of metamorphosis of larvae of S. nudus and S. intermedius.     

Inhibitory effect of 2,4-dibromophenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol on larval survival and metamorphosis of the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus nudus</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   As a possible factor leading to the low recruitment level of sea urchins in kelp forests, the inhibitory effect of 2,4-dibromophenol (DBP) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) released from the large perennial brown algae Ecklonia kurome and Eisenia bicyclis on survival and metamorphosis of eight-armed larvae of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus was examined. The percentage of larvae that underwent metamorphosis in filtered sea water after 1 h exposure to one-half dilution of saturated dibromomethane solution (∼60 ppm) as a chemical inducer reached approximately 100% after 1 h, while that in filtered sea water containing 1 ppm TBP was reduced to 73%. This was further reduced to less than 40% in the presence of 10 and 20 ppm TBP after 2 h. In filtered sea water containing 1 and 10 ppm DBP, the proportion of metamorphosed larvae was reduced markedly to 43 and 5% after 2 h, respectively. All larvae exposed to 50 ppm TBP and to 20 and 50 ppm DBP died after 1 h. These findings suggest that DBP is more toxic than TBP for sea urchin larvae, strongly inhibiting their metamorphosis.     

The effect of dietary n-3 HUFA levels and DHA/EPA ratios on growth, survival and osmotic stress tolerance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis larvae

The effect of varying levels of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) and docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) ratios on growth, survival and osmotic stress tolerance of Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae was studied in two separate experiments. In experiment I, larvae were fed rotifers and Artemia enriched with ICES emulsions with 0, 30 and 50% total n-3 HUFA levels but with the same DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6. In experiment II, larvae were fed different combinations of enriched rotifers and Artemia, in which, rotifers were enriched with emulsions containing 30% total n-3 HUFA, but different DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6, 2 and 4; while Artemia were enriched with the same emulsions, but DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6 and 4. In both experiments, un-enriched rotifers cultured on baker's yeast and newly-hatched Artemia nauplii were used as control diets. Larvae were fed rotifers at zoea 1 and zoea 2 stages; upon reaching zoea 3 stage, Artemia was introduced.Experiment I revealed no significant effect of prey enrichment on the survival of megalopa among treatments, but higher total n-3 HUFA levels significantly enhanced larval development (larval stage index, LSI) and resulted in higher individual dry body weight of megalopa. Furthermore higher dietary n-3 HUFA levels also resulted in better tolerance to salinity stress. Experiment II indicated that at the same total n-3 HUFA level, larvae continuously receiving a low dietary DHA/EPA ratio had significantly lower survival at the megalopa stage and inferior individual body weight at the megalopa stage, but no negative effect was observed on larval development (LSI). The ability to endure salinity stress of zoea 3, zoea 5 and megalopa fed diets with higher DHA/EPA ratio was also improved.     

Mercury and methyl mercury concentration in sediment,benthic, Barbus Grypus and pelagic,Barbus esocinus fish species,from Musa estuary,Iran

The concentrations of mercury (Hg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) in sediment and tissues of Barbus grypus and Barbus esocinus fish species from Musa estuary, north part of the Persian Gulf, were measured. The order of Hg and MeHg concentrations in the sediment and tissues of the fish species was as follows: liver > gill > muscle > sediment. In the tissues of two fish species, the Hg and MeHg concentrations were highest in liver whereas lowest in the muscle. In the sediment, mean concentrations of Hg and MeHg were 0.83 and 0.437 µg g^?1. Mean concentrations of Hg and MeHg in B. grypus were 1.2–0.624 µg g^?1 and in all tissues of B. esocinus were 0.75 and 0.421 µg g^?1. Significant correlation between heavy metal concentration in sediment and fish may be related to high variability of heavy metal in the sediment.     

Disinfection of Sparus aurata eggs with glutaraldehyde

This study was conducted to determine suitable conditions fordisinfecting eggs of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)with glutaraldehyde. Effects of the developmental stage (4–8 cells,morula, blastopore closure or heart beating), of the concentration (C = 200,300or 400 ppm) and of the duration of the glutaraldehyde treatment (T= 2 to 10 min) were investigated. Before the blastopore closurestage, egg manipulation and treatment induced mortality. After this stage, thetoxicity of the glutaraldehyde treatment was negligible if the value of theproduct C × T was less than 1000. Above this value, the percentage ofhatching and of normal larvae decreased and the percentage of imprisoned larvaeincreased. Toxic effects of glutaraldehyde varied according to the egg qualityat the time of the treatment. It was concluded that 200 ppmglutaraldehyde for 4 min, at the blastopore closure stage or attheheart beating stage, were acceptable conditions for disinfecting gilthead seabream eggs at 18 °C.     

Evaluation of Live Feeds for Larval and Postlarval Mahimahi Coryphaena hippurus

Live hatchery feeds were assayed for fatty acids (FA), amino acids (AA), and their ability to support growth and survival of larval and postlarval mahimahi Coryphaena hippurus at two different hatchery stages. Euterpina acuritrons copepods (C), mahimahi yolk-sac larvae (YSL), Artemia parthenogenica brine shrimp nauplii (BSn), A. parthenogenica juveniles (BSj), and Brachionus plicatilis rotifers (R) were assayed, using several enrichment media. There was little difference in AAs among feeds.
Levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were about 10 times higher in YSL than in their feeds. This explains previous findings where first stage larval survival (0–9 days) was not affected by feed HUFA levels. Second stage survival was significantly higher when larvae were fed copepods. Enrichment with 100 ppm SuperSelco greatly improved the survival of larvae that were fed brine shrimp. The even higher omega-3 fatty acids found in copepods appear to be important for survival of larvae under more stressful conditions.
Brine shrimp juveniles enriched with SuperSelco are a good food for postlarval mahimahi. Yolksac larvae of mahimahi are an even better food, promoting faster growth at less cost, for large scale mahimahi aquaculturists. Different batches of yolksac mahimahi larvae varied by a factor of 10 in their concentration of DHA, but always had the highest level of DHA as much as 40% of total fatty acids (FAs). These "high HUFA" batches of YSL also had the highest levels of EPA and total fatty acids. The data suggest that climate and broodstock age may have considerable influence on larval nutrition.     

Successful culture of larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei fed a microbound formulated diet exclusively from either stage PZ2 or M1 to PL1

In three separate experiments, harpaticoid copepods Tisbe monozota (alive and dead) and a microparticulate microbound diet were evaluated as alternatives to live Artemia nauplii as food, beginning at either stage PZ2 or M1, in the larval culture of Litopenaeus vannamei. Larvae were cultured in 2 L round bottom flasks at a density of 150 L^− 1 (Experiment 1) and 100 L^− 1 ( 3.2 and 3.3) at 28 °C, 35‰ salinity and 12:12 LD photoperiod, and fed 4×/day^- 1. Larvae were initially fed a mixture of phytoplankton to stages PZ2 or M1 and then fed either live Artemia, live or dead copepods, or a microparticulate microbound diet. The experiments were terminated and all larvae were harvested when more than 80% of larvae had molted to postlarvae 1 (PL1) within any flask representing any of the treatments. The comparative value of the different diets and feeding regimes was determined by mean survival, mean dry weight and total length of individual larva, and percentage of surviving larvae that were PL1. Trypsin activity of samples of larvae from each treatment was also determined. The microparticulate microbound diet effectively served as a complete substitute for Artemia nauplii when fed beginning at stage M1. When fed at the beginning of the PZ2 stage, survival was comparable to that of larvae fed Artemia, but mean dry weight, mean total length, and percent of surviving larvae that were PL1 generally were significantly less. Responses to the feeding of copepods, whether fed dead or live, as a substitute were generally significantly less than those of larvae fed either the Artemia nauplii or the microparticulate diet. Values of trypsin activity (10^− 5 IU/μg^- 1 dry weight) corresponded to the relative proportions of the different larval stages within a treatment, with higher activity being characteristic of early stages. Previously demonstrated successful results with another species of crustacean suggest that the microparticulate microbound diet has characteristics that should be effective in the culture of the carnivorous stages of other crustacean and fish larvae that are currently fed live Artemia nauplii.     

Larval rearing and development of Siganus lineatus (Pisces: Siganidae) from hatching through metamorphosis

Larvae of Siganus lineatus were hatched and reared through metamorphosis in a 7 000-1 tank covered with a translucent roof. The larvae were fed phytoplankton (mixed cultures), rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), copepods (Oithona sp.), and Artemia nauplii. Thirty-five days were required for all the larvae to metamorphose; survival was 800 out of 5 000 (16%). The rearing period and rearing criteria are identical to those required for S. canaliculatus. Three important developmental stages were identified: the dark-head carnivorous stage (the gut is a simple coil), the brown-head omnivorous stage (the gut is elongated and convoluted), and the juvenile herbivorous stage (the gut is highly elongated and convoluted into a complex coil). Over-feeding on Artemia nauplii may result in deaths among brown-head and juvenile fishes; adjustment of the feeding regime when larvae begin to develop into the brown-head stage is considered important. Copepods are an excellent substitute for Artemia nauplii during this period     

On the role of algae in larviculture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The possible roles of algae (i.e. “green water”) in facilitating Macrobrachium rosenbergii larviculture have been investigated.Larvae were incubated with ¹⁴C uniformly labeled Tetraselmis sp. and Phaeodactylum sp. No counts were incorporated by the larvae indicating that negligible quantities of algal cell material are ingested directly. In contrast, Artemia nauplii assimilated and digested appreciable quantities of algae under similar conditions.The algae rapidly removed ammonia that had been added to the larviculture medium even starting at levels toxic to the larvae (0.6 ppm). However, very high densities of Artemia (20/ml) caused ammonia accumulation even in the presence of the algae due to their own increased metabolic rate when fed upon algae and due to the reduced number of assimilating algae. Removal of the Artemia under these conditions was followed by rapid disappearance of the ammonia.The beneficial effects of Tilapia as a larviculture associate, reported elsewhere, was observed only in the presence of algae. Larval mortality actually increased in water that had supported the growth of Tilapia if algae were not present.It is concluded that algae facilitate the growth of Macrobrachium larvae only indirectly by removing toxic material, notably ammonia, from the medium. Under conditions where the Artemia are grown before contact with the Macrobrachium larvae and where other means of ammonia removal are employed, larval growth and development are not affected by the presence of algae and the latter can be dispensed with.     

Investigations on the effect of formalin and iodophor on embryo and larvae development in pikeperch,Sander lucioperca

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of incubating pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, eggs in formalin and iodophor solutions for 15 min on embryo survival, the hatching rate, as well as on the rate of misshaped larvae, in order to develop methods for egg surface disinfection. Embryos in the morula stage, in the epiboly stage, and at the beginning of heart beat and blood circulation tolerated formalin concentrations up to 1,500 ppm for 15 min. However, they were very susceptible to iodophor treatment, as >0.1% iodophor solution (=13 ppm active iodine) significantly decreased the percentage of ready-to-hatch embryos and the percentage of hatched larvae. These data of this study recommend the use of formalin at a concentration of up to 1,500 ppm to disinfect pikeperch eggs.     

不同饲料对乌鳢中汞和甲基汞富集水平的影响

为了解冰鲜鱼和水产配合饲料2种不同饲料对乌鳢(Ophiocephalus argus)中汞和甲基汞富集水平和食用安全的影响,实验采用ICP-MS法、液相-原子荧光分光光度法分别测定乌鳢在摄食冰鲜鱼和水产配合饲料两种不同饲料后,研究其肌肉、肝脏和肾脏3种不同组织中总汞和甲基汞的含量随养殖周期的富集规律。结果显示:在整个养殖过程中,饲料投喂组肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中总汞和甲基汞含量均低于冰鲜鱼投喂组,其中冰鲜鱼组肌肉、肝脏中总汞和甲基汞的富集均明显高于饲料组,肾脏中总汞的富集明显高于饲料组。从不同组织看,肌肉对总汞和甲基汞的富集显著高于肝脏和肾脏。肌肉中汞主要以甲基汞形式存在,平均含量占总汞的84.2%,低于国家食品安全限量标准,食用风险较低。相关性分析显示,2种不同饲料中总汞、甲基汞含量对乌鳢生长周期内总汞、甲基汞富集无显著性影响。结果表明乌鳢配合饲料养殖较冰鲜鱼养殖更为安全,适宜进一步推广运用。     

Role of thyroid hormones in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus): I. Effects of the hormones and an antithyroid drug on yolk absorption,growth and development

Treatment of one-day old yolksac larvae of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) by immersion in 0.05 ppm T₄ or 0.01 ppm T₃ significantly accelerated the differentiation and growth of all the fins, particularly pectoral and tail fins. Both the treatments also significantly accelerated yolk absorption and transition to free-swimming activity in the larvae. The treatments also significantly accelerated the growth of the larvae, with T₃ at 0.01 ppm having a greater effect than T₄ at 0.05 ppm. The yolk conversion efficiency was found not to be significantly affected by the hormone treatments but the treated larvae exhibited an increased heart beat, suggesting metabolic stimulation by the hormones.On the other hand, yolk absorption and free-swimming activity were significantly delayed in tilapia larvae immersed in 25 ppm solution of an antithyroid drug, phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). PTC also retarded the growth of the larvae. T₄ (0.05 and 0.10 ppm) or T₃ (0.01 and 0.02 ppm) therapy removed the PTC-inhibition,albeit not completely, suggesting that thyroid hormones are involved in the larval growth and development of tilapia.     

Observations on the breeding and growth of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) in the laboratory

Three male and 20 female prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), were observed for 390 days. They were maintained in brackish water (5%. salinity) at 28°C which was recycled continuously through a percolating biological filter. Illumination was artificial and did not exceed 10 lm/ft² (approx. 0.1 m²) at the water surface. Mating readily occurred in the experimental tanks (48 × 28 × 25 cm deep). Eggs were incubated for 20 days; the mean number of larvae per brood was 24 000 (range 50–98 100). Over 750 000 larvae were hatched during the experiment. Larger females had proportionately larger broods and larvae from seven broods were cultured to the post-larval stage at intervals throughout the experimental period, which demonstrated their viability.The increase in length of the adults at each moult was constant (arithmetic growth) and did not alter when ova were maturing in the ovary.Prawns achieved larger mean length increments after the environmental conditions were improved. The moulting frequency was very variable and, with one exception, did not change proportionately with length or age of the prawns.Females grew from 115 to 205 mm and males from 145 to 230 mm total length.Three females spawned more than four times in successive intermoult periods, and one produced viable larvae five times in succession.Two of the males sired viable larvae four and seven times respectively during one intermoult period.     

早繁鮸鱼仔鱼饥饿试验及不可逆点的确定

在盐度29、水温23~25℃的条件下,进行了早繁鮸鱼仔鱼饥饿实验和不可逆点(PNR)的确定;观察了饥饿条件下早繁鮸鱼初孵仔鱼0、6、9、12、15和18日龄的存活、生长、卵黄囊与油球利用和游泳行为的变化。结果表明:早繁鮸鱼仔鱼从初次摄食到PNR期为4.5~5 d,这个耐受饥饿的时间临界点发生在孵化后的第7天。在饥饿的条件下初孵仔鱼、6、9、12、15和18日龄仔鱼的全部死亡时间分别为10.5 d、5 d、2.5 d、3 d、4 d和5 d;半数死亡时间分别为8.5 d、3 d、1 d、1.5 d、2 d和3.5 d。说明9~15日龄是早繁鮸鱼早期发育中最为敏感的阶段。饥饿会延缓初孵仔鱼对油球的利用。随着饥饿时间的延长,仔鱼的生长与正常条件下仔鱼差异显著(P<0.05)。饥饿仔鱼体长较短,头大且体瘦,长期饥饿后脑后部下陷。饥饿仔鱼行为变化表现为表层集群游动觅食,缓慢游动反应迟钝和外部形态变化并开始下沉水底。     

Feeding experiments on the larvae of the fiddler crab Uca pugilator (Brachyura,Ocypodidae), reared in the laboratory

Larvae of Uca pugilator (Bosc) were reared in the laboratory from hatching to the megalopa stage on three different diets: (1) newly hatched Artemia salina nauplii (diet A), (2) the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis (O.F. Müller) and a ciliate Euplotes sp. (diet RC), and (3) a combination of the above two diets (diet ARC). The survival rate of zoeae fed diet A (90.0%) and diet ARC (93.8%) was much higher than that of the larvae fed diet RC (22.5%). The duration of the zoeal stages was significantly shorter for the larvae fed diet ARC than for those fed diets A and RC. The survival rate of megalopa larvae (reared on diets A and ARC in the zoeal stages) was high (above 90%) for megalopa fed Artemia nauplii only, as well as for those fed a combination of Artemia nauplii and shrimp. No significant differences in duration of the megalopa stage were found between the latter diet groups.     

Free amino acid and protein content in the planktonic copepod Temora longicornis compared to Artemia franciscana

Previous studies have indicated that natural zooplankton, the natural prey organisms of marine fish larvae, is superior to enriched Artemia spp. nauplii in supporting survival, growth and normal development of pigmentation and eye migration in Atlantic halibut larvae. The present study was designed to compare the amino acid dynamics in copepods harvested from a natural lagoon with that of enriched Artemia franciscana nauplii. The natural zooplankton in the present study was dominated by Temora longicornis, but varied in its developmental stage composition, apparent nutritional quality, amount and availability. The protein content in natural zooplankton varied from 31% to 54% of dry mass (DM) compared to 31% in enriched Artemia nauplii. The amount of free amino acids (FAA) in relation to protein was 14% in enriched Artemia nauplii and varied between 16% and 27% in zooplankton in two consecutive seasons. The FAA composition of zooplankton in 1996 was unaffected by stage and season, and showed a species-specific pattern. In response to starvation, two patterns in the amino acid dynamics of copepods were found. The first, exhibited by the major nonessential amino acids (NEAA), showed a continuous reduction in individual amount, while the second pattern, exhibited by the minor nonessential amino acids and all the essential FAA, had an initial increase followed by a reduction. It is suggested that the protein amount in DHA Selco™ (INVE)-enriched Artemia nauplii is too low in order to maximise the growth potential of some marine fish larvae as cod and halibut.     

Temperature determines growth rates of larval round herring Etrumeus teres in the Pacific coastal waters off southern Japan

Seasonal variation in daily growth rates in the early and middle larval stages of round herring Etrumeus teres were largely determined by the sea temperatures experienced by hatch-date cohorts in the Pacific coastal waters off southern Japan. Round herring larvae were collected by purse seining in the coastal waters of central Tosa Bay. A total of 451 larvae were aged by reading daily rings in otoliths. Individuals within a range of 2–5 hatch dates were grouped as hatch-date cohorts. We selected 16 cohorts that hatched during September 2000 and March 2002 and calculated mean widths of otolith growth increments for each cohort during the first feeding stage (W _FF, increments 1–5) and the maximum increment width in the middle larval stage (W _MAX). Seasonal variation in mean W _FF and W _MAX among the 16 cohorts was largely (80–90 %) explained by the sea temperature in the bay. These results indicate that temperature was a predominant determinant of larval growth rates; other environmental factors, such as food availability, did not substantially affect growth rates of round herring larvae in coastal waters along the subtropical Kuroshio Current off southern Japan.