Lethal doses of ammonia on the late-stage larvae of Chinese mitten-handed crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), (Decapoda: Grapsidae) reared in the laboratory

Four successive life stages (zoea-III, zoea-IV, zoea-V and megalopa) of the Chinese mitten-handed crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), were exposed to ammonia in a series of short-term bioassays with the static-renewal method at 22°C, pH 8.0 and 25%o salinity. The greatest sensitivity was observed in the zoea-III stage. The 24-h LC₅₀ values for zoea-III, zoea-IV, zoea-V and megalopa were 32.8, 73.1, 84.0 and 90.1 mg L^?1 for NH₃+ NH₄⁺, and 1.11, 2.36, 2.77 and 3.18 mg L^?1 for NH₃, respectively. The 72-h LC₅₀ values for zoea-III, zoea-IV and zoea-V were 11.9, 23.6 and 38.2 mg L^?1 for NH₃+ NH₄⁺, and 0.40, 0.76 and 1.26 mg L^?1 for NH₃, respectively. The 96-h LC₅₀ values for megalopa were 37.3 mg L^?1 for NH₃+ NH₄⁺ and 1.31 mg L^?1 for NH₃. It was found that ammonia tolerance increased with larval development from zoea-III to megalopa, especially from zoea-III to zoea-IV and from zoea-IV to zoea-V. A comparison of safe levels of ammonia among the different life stages indicated that all stages were significantly different with respect to safe levels of ammonia (P < 0.05) except zoea-V and megalopa, which had the highest safe levels. In general, both the larvae and juveniles of E. sinensis are less resistant to ammonia than those of other crustacean species studied so far.     

Ovarian development and induced oviposition of the overwintering swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus (Brachyura: Portunidae) reared in the laboratory

ABSTRACT:   Females of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus were cultured under natural temperature and high temperature (21°C) conditions to examine ovarian development and oviposition from autumn (October) to the beginning of breeding season in the following spring (May). Ovaries developed because of vitellogenesis of oocytes from October to December and their developmental state did not change during the overwintering period from December to March. In spring, from late March to mid May, some ovaries reached prematuration and maturation stages and ovipositions began from mid–late April under natural temperature conditions. Females reared in tanks of high temperature regimes oviposited earlier than those reared in tanks of natural temperatures. The number of days to oviposition tended to decrease with advancement of the beginning times (early February to late April) of culture of females under high temperature regimes; induced ovipositions were achieved more easily with increasing photoperiod from c . 12 h in early February to c . 14 h in late April. Therefore, it is inferred that the temperature and photoperiod are important environmental factors controlling ovarian development and oviposition.     

Larval cannibalism rates in the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Decapoda: Ocypodidae) under laboratory conditions

Predation of zoeas by megalopae of Ucides cordatus is frequently observed in the laboratory during larval rearing, a phenomenon that could considerably reduce the output of larviculture. Experiments were carried out in the present study to assess how the survivorship of larvae at the end of the larviculture is influenced by cannibalism by megalopae on the larvae of earlier stages, as well as on other megalopae. In addition, tests were performed to assess whether the adoption of different feeding protocols can decrease cannibalism rates. Experiments were carried out in plastic vials containing ocean water (salinity 25 g L^?1) under controlled environmental conditions (26 °C and 16:8 h LD photoperiod). An ensemble analysis of all the developmental stages indicated that zoeal mortality rates were significantly higher in the presence of megalopae, a result that is consistent with cannibalism by megalopae. However, separate analysis for each developmental stage indicated that only zoea IV, V and VI show reduced survivorship. No cannibalism was detected among megalopae. Food supplementation using Artemia sp. at a density of 6 nauplii mL^?1 proved to be successful in reducing cannibalism rates, whereas supplementation at a lower density (0.3 nauplii mL^?1) failed to show such an effect. The implications of these results for the larviculture of U. cordatus are discussed.     

Early development,growth and survival of the yellow crab Cancer anthonyi Rathbun (Decapoda,Brachyura) in the laboratory

Larvae of the yellow crab, Cancer anthonyi Rathbun, were reared through five zoeal stages and one megalops stage in the laboratory. Total larval development times were 33 and 45 days at 22°C and 18°C, respectively. Survival rates to the first crab instar, for larvae reared in recirculating systems on a diet of Artemia nauplii, were 26% at 22°C and 17% at 18°C. Although no larvae reared in glass containers at 22°C survived past the first zoeal stage, 11% of those in similar containers at 18°C reached the first crab instar. Bacterial infections were associated with most observed mortalities. Antibiotics failed to increase the survival rates of larvae reared in glass containers.Juvenile crabs were reared in individual containers and in communal aquaria through 14 crab instars. Although instar durations were shorter at 22°C than at 18°C, mean carapace widths were significantly greater at the lower temperature. Crabs in communal aquaria at 22°C were larger than corresponding crabs at the same temperature in individual containers. Crabs reared in aquaria at 22°C reached the twelfth instar with a mean size of 90.3 mm, 195 days after hatching. Sexually mature thirteenth stage laboratory-reared crabs were mated and their offspring were reared through the ninth crab stage.     

Feeding selectivity of the seahorse,Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker), juveniles under laboratory conditions

This study examined the feeding selectivity of Hippocampus kuda juveniles under captive conditions and evaluates different food organisms that could be used to improve hatchery‐rearing of this species. Newly born H. kuda were reared for 10 days in 60‐L capacity tanks and fed rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis), zooplankton (mostly Pseudodiaptomus annandalei and Acartia tsuensis) alone or both food sources. The size and amount of food ingested increased as seahorses grew. Selective feeding of seahorses appeared to change as they develop, preferring copepod adults over nauplii and rotifers. A. tsuensis was highly selected by juveniles over P. annandalei. Specific growth rate in terms of body weight (SGR‐BW, 15% day^–1) was the highest and mortality rate (9% at day 10) the lowest in seahorses fed a mixed food sources. Slowest growth rate (0.3% day^–1) and highest mortality rate (60% at day 7) were observed in seahorses fed rotifers alone. These results indicate that copepods are suitable food for seahorse juveniles, but a mixture of food organisms in the rearing tank environment enhances survivorship and growth of H. kuda, thus potentially providing a source of cultured rather than wild specimens for characterizing the life history of this threatened species.     

Effects of temperature and salinity on the survival and development of mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forsskål), larvae

The combined effects of temperature and salinity on larval survival and development of the mud crab, Scylla serrata, were investigated in the laboratory. Newly hatched larvae were reared under 20 °C temperature and salinity combinations (i.e. combinations of four temperatures 25, 28, 31, 34 °C with five salinities 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 g L⁻¹). The results showed that temperature and salinity as well as the interaction of the two parameters significantly affected the survival of zoeal larvae. Salinity at 15 g L⁻¹ resulted in no larval survival to the first crab stage, suggesting that the lower salinity tolerance limit for mud crab larvae lies somewhere between salinity 15 and 20 g L⁻¹. However, within the salinity range of 20–35 g L⁻¹, no significant effects on survival of zoeal larvae were detected (P>0.05). The combined effects of temperature and salinity on larval survival were also evident as at low salinities, both high and low temperature led to mass mortality of newly hatched larvae (e.g. 34 °C/15 g L⁻¹, 34 °C/20 g L⁻¹ and 25 °C/15 g L⁻¹ combinations). In contrast, the low temperature and high salinity combination of 25 °C/35 g L⁻¹ resulted in one of the highest survival to the megalopal stage. It was also shown that at optimal 28 °C, larvae could withstand broader salinity conditions. Temperature, salinity and their interaction also significantly affected larval development. At 34 °C, the mean larval development time to megalopa under different salinity conditions ranged from 13.5 to 18.5 days. It increased to between 20.6 and 22.6 days at 25 °C. The effects of salinity on larval development were demonstrated by the fact that for all the temperatures tested, the fastest mean development to megalopa was always recorded at the salinity of 25 g L⁻¹. However, a different trend of salinity effects was shown for megalopae as their duration consistently increased with an increase in salinity from 20 to 35 g L⁻¹. In summary, S. serrata larvae tolerate a broad range of salinity and temperature conditions. Rearing temperature 25–30 °C and salinity 20–35 g L⁻¹ generally result in reasonable survival. However, from an aquaculture point of view, a higher temperature range of 28–30 °C and a salinity range of 20–30 g L⁻¹ are recommended as it shortens the culture cycle.     

Effects of density on growth and survival of juvenile Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), reared under laboratory conditions

The aim of this study was to quantify the importance of population density on the growth and survival of juvenile red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), and to understand the effects of density on both the period between moults and the increment per moult at high densities without food limitation. A laboratory experiment was performed to determine growth and survival of juvenile crayfish at five densities (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 crayfish m^?2). Density clearly affected crayfish growth. The impact of density on final weight was higher than on total length increase, growth rate and final length (FL) (by decreasing order of effect). When comparing minimum and maximum densities, we observed that FL suffered a 34% reduction. Number of moults, mean intermoult period (IP) and survival were not significantly affected by density. Our results indicated that the IP and the percentage of increment per moult are affected by the size of crayfish before moult and we provide equations for these relations. Our findings are relevant both for crayfish aquaculture management and for the management of wild or harvested rice‐field crayfish populations.     

Feeding sequences (rotifer and dry diet), survival, growth and biochemical composition of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell (Pisces: Clariidae), larvae

The suitability of the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus as starting food for the larviculture of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell, was investigated through studies of growth and fatty acid profiles in relation to different feeding sequences combining live food and dry diet in various proportions and during different mixed feeding periods. The best results for survival were observed when rotifers were supplied during the first week of feeding, i.e. sequences R₂ (exclusive supply of rotifers, then dry diet from day 8, onwards) and R₅ (50% rotifers+50% dry diet until day 7, then dry diet 100%), reaching 99.2% and 96.3%, respectively. The specific growth rate of larvae was largely dependent on the duration of preliminary feeding with the rotifers. A feeding with rotifers as a unique food source did not produce satisfactory growth during the first week of feeding. A precocious weaning showed that the highest growth rate and protein efficiency ratio (PER) can be obtained by feeding the larvae rotifers in association with a dry diet. The best PER and protein productive value (PPV) were recorded with feeding sequences R₂ and R₅. On the other hand, the series of polyunsaturated fatty acids was characterized by a relatively constant concentrations, and represented about 11.6% of the total fatty acids in sequence R₂ because of the presence of the acids of the linoleic series, which apparently originated from the food. The R₅ regime provided larvae with significant amounts of highly unsaturated fatty acids, such as linolenic acid C18:3n-3.     

Effect of larval stocking density on growth,survival and whole body cortisol of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) larvae reared under laboratory conditions

Interest of mussel hatchery development has increased during the last years as natural seed collection does not always satisfy the demand of producers. Success on larval bivalve culture depends on several factors such as diet, temperature or stocking density. In this study, the effect of larval density in mussel culture success has been assessed testing three larval densities: high (50 larvae mL^?1), medium (25 larvae mL^?1) and low (5 larvae mL^?1). Results showed higher growth and survival at low density but the amount of postlarvae was low. The highest number of settled larvae was observed at high density but mortality was also high and a delay on the larval development was detected producing a prolongation on the culture length. However, medium density resulted in a good survival and growth and also in a considerable amount of postlarvae, as this density could be adequate for massive mussel seed production. Cortisol content on the larvae and postlarvae was also analysed and significant differences were obtained among groups probably due to the stress associated to settlement and metamorphosis.     

中华绒螯蟹的摄食节律

为了探究中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)最适宜的投喂时间,本实验将120只初重约68 g的幼蟹随机分养在24个塑料缸(70 cm×40 cm×50 cm)中。采用一次饱食投喂(将昼夜分为8个时间点:10:00、13:00、16:00、19:00、22:00、01:00、04:00、07:00,每个时间段作为1个处理组,每天每个处理组饱食投喂1次)的方法研究中华绒螯蟹的昼夜摄食节律。结果显示,幼蟹在不同投喂时间点表现出24 h周期性的摄食节律,且总摄食高峰期在22:00。从其中6d的平均摄食量可以看出,河蟹主要在19:00~22:00时间段摄食;在肝胰腺酶活性方面,淀粉酶活性在19:00~22:00内高于其他各组,且在22:00获得最高值;脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和钠钾ATP酶酶活性有相似的变化趋势,在13:00~22:00时间段这些酶的酶活呈现上升的趋势,且最高值均在22:00获得。在相关摄食基因表达方面,肝胰腺中Leptin基因的相对表达量在22:00点显著低于13:00和16:00,与其他各组相比差异不显著(P0.05);肠道中胆囊收缩素(CCK)基因的相对表达量在22:00点显示出最低值,与10:00、13:00、04:00和07:00点相比差异显著(P0.05)。综上所述,中华绒螯蟹存在明显的摄食节律,这可能与光照紧密相关,最适宜的投喂时间为22:00。     

底物大小对牡蛎幼虫附着的诱导效应

为探讨底物大小对牡蛎幼虫附着的诱导效应,设计底物大小和实验环境(室内和野外)的双因子随机区组实验,检验3种规格实验底物(A:5 cm长×5 cm宽×3 cm厚、B:10 cm长×10 cm宽×3 cm厚、C:15 cm长×15 cm宽×3 cm厚,以下简称A、B、C)、实验环境以及他们之间的互作对牡蛎幼虫(室内实验:长牡蛎Crassostrea gigas;野外实验:熊本牡蛎C.sikamea)附着效果(密度和壳高)的影响。附着实验结果显示,室内实验A组附着稚贝的平均密度和平均壳高分别为1.06个·cm^-2和14.10 mm,B组为5.60个·cm^-2和8.69 mm,C组为12.01个·cm^-2和4.44 mm;野外实验A组附着稚贝的平均密度和壳高分别为2.41个·cm^-2和17.83 mm,B组为4.65个·cm^-2和11.61 mm,C组为6.90个·cm^-2和7.43 mm。单因子方差分析结果表明,室内和野外实验中底物大小均显著影响附着稚贝的密度(...     

Influence of binder type on leaching rate and ingestion of microbound diets by mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forsskål), larvae

Microbound diets (MBD), composed of nutrients held within a matrix or binder, were shown to be readily ingested by larvae of the mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forsskål). In an effort to improve experimental MBD developed for S. serrata larvae, this study determined the effects of various binders on estimated larval ingestion of MBD as well as their leaching rates. Microbound diets with the same dietary compositions were bound with either agar, alginate, carrageenan, gelatin or zein. All diets contained ¹⁴C‐labelled rotifers and were fed to Zoea I, III, V larvae and megalopae. The ¹⁴C content of larvae fed ¹⁴C‐labelled MBD for 2 h was used to estimate the relative ingestion rates of MBD. For all larval stages tested, the estimated mean larval ingestion of MBD did not differ significantly between binder types (P>0.05). Determination of the amount of ¹⁴C‐labelled nutrient leaching from MBD bound with various binders after 30, 60 and 240 min of immersion showed that for all types of binders, ¹⁴C leaching occurred primarily within the first 30 min of immersion. Zein‐bound MBD consistently showed the lowest numerical leaching rate among the five binders tested for all immersion periods examined, and the differences compared with other binders were often significant, particularly after 60 and 240 min of immersion. Larval feeding experiments showed that MBD prepared with binders showing higher rates of leaching were not utilized to a greater degree by S. serrata larvae. Furthermore, unnecessary leaching from MBD particles wastes dietary nutrients and is likely to impact on water quality. On this basis, our results suggest that because of its consistently lower leaching rates, zein is probably a more suitable binder for MBD developed for S. serrata larvae.     

Low genetic variability in an endangered population of fiddler crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uca arcuata</Emphasis> on Okinawajima Island: analysis of mitochondrial DNA

ABSTRACT:   Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed on polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA fragments containing the D-loop , ND2 , and CO I genes of fiddler crab Uca arcuata mitochondrial DNA. In total, 316 individuals from six populations in Japan and two populations in Taiwan were analyzed using five restriction endonucleases ( Afa I, Bcn I, Cfr 13I, Hae III and Hin fI), yielding 85 haplotypes. Samples were taken from Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawajima Island, which is the only known distribution of U. arcuata in the Ryukyu Archipelago. The Okinawajima Island population is isolated geographically from others and showed a marked low genetic variability ( h  = 0.2539, π  = 0.0005) and significant differentiation from other population samples in haplotype composition. We suggest that a substantial decrease in the genetic variability of the Okinawajima Island population was caused by genetic drift under the conditions of small population size and low gene flow from other populations. It is important to conserve the intertidal zone in Nakagusuku Bay for the maintenance of this endangered population.     

The larval rearing of the marine ornamental crab, Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae)

The goal of this study is to develop a larviculture protocol for Mithraculus forceps, a popular marine aquarium species. Different temperatures (25±0.5°C and 28±0.5°C), stocking densities (10, 20, 40 and 80 larvae L^?1), prey densities (newly hatched Artemia of 1, 4, 7 and 12 nauplii mL^?1) and metamorphosis to crab conditions (Systems A and B) were tested. The best survivorship and faster development were obtained when the larvae were reared at a density of 40 larvae L^?1 for 7 days post hatching (DPH) in System A, at 28°C and fed with 7 mL^?1 of newly hatched Artemia nauplii. After 7 DPH all the megalopa were moved to System B and the same temperature and prey density were maintained. At the end of the experiment, 12 DPH, survivorship of 74.1±4.8% was obtained.     

Growth, survival and biochemical composition of spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Balss, 1922) (Decapoda: Majidae) larvae reared under different stocking densities, prey:larva ratios and diets

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is overexploited on the NW coast of Spain. Aquaculture of this species can be the solution to the problem, and consequently, several attempts of intensive larval rearing have been conducted. However, most of the studies already published do not provide enough zoo technical data, especially in terms of larval and prey densities or the nutritional quality of diets used for rearing.Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the conditions for intensive larval rearing of M. brachydactyla. Larval stocking density (10, 50 and 100 larvae L^− 1), prey:larva ratio (15, 30 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1) and diet (enriched Artemia, non-enriched Artemia and polychaete supplement) effects on growth and survival of this species were studied. For larval culture nine, 35 L, 150 μm mesh-bottomed PVC cylinders (triplicates for each treatment and larval stage) connected to a recirculation unit, were used. Temperature and salinity were kept constant at 18 °C and 36‰ respectively. A 12 to 18 day trial was conducted for each experiment and samples of larvae were collected at each larval stage (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa) in the inter-molt phase and at first juvenile. Survival, carapace length and width, dry weight (DW), and proximate biochemical content (protein, carbohydrates and total lipid) as well as lipid class composition were determined.Stocking densities of 100 larvae L^− 1 resulted in higher growth in DW and higher content in lipids and protein for zoea I (ZI) and zoea II (ZII) than 10 larvae L^− 1. However, survival decreased with increasing stocking density.The use of 60 preys larva^− 1 produced larvae with significantly higher DW and protein content, especially at ZII stage, than lower prey densities. Survival rate obtained feeding 60 preys larva^− 1 up to the megalopa stage was almost two-fold (42.2%) the rate obtained using 15 preys larva^− 1 (24.8%).Larvae fed on enriched Artemia (EA) showed an increase in weight up to megalopa (518.9 ± 26.5 μg) in contrast to larvae fed on non-enriched prey (A) (467.9 ± 6.9 μg). Variation in DW correlated with the total lipid content (L) of the larvae (L_EA = 70.1 ± 37.5 μg ind^− 1; L_A = 28.9 ± 3.2 μg ind^− 1) especially in terms of neutral lipids. The use of an initial density of at least 50 larvae L^− 1 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1 can be considered the most adequate rearing parameters in order to obtain good results in growth and survival of M. brachydactyla.     

Bacterial pathogens in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), reared at Danish freshwater farms

During a 2-year period, bacterial fish pathogens were monitored on five rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), freshwater farms in Denmark. A total of 1206 fish were examined and 361 bacterial isolates were identified phenotypically. Enteric redmouth disease, furunculosis and rainbow trout fry syndrome/coldwater disease were recorded. Infections caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum occurred most frequently, but only one outbreak of enteric redmouth disease caused by Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1 and one of furunculosis caused by Aeromonas salmonicida were recorded during the monitoring period. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was isolated on all farms, both during disease outbreaks and from fish without any signs of disease. Serological investigations of F. psychrophilum showed that serotype Th was the dominant serotype found. The serotypes Th and Fd were involved in disease outbreaks of fry and larger fish. All isolates of F. psychrophilum showed proteolytic activities; however, a few isolates, belonging to serotype FpT did not degrade elastin and were not associated with mortality. Increasing resistance problems to oxytetracycline were demonstrated. More than half of the F. psychrophilum isolates showed resistance to oxolinic acid and oxytetracycline. No antibiotic resistant isolates were found among Y. ruckeri and A. salmonicida .     

底质对小褐虾生长和存活率影响的实验研究

本研究的目的在于通过小褐虾(Crangon uritai)的人工饲养,以观察栖息底质对其存活率和生长的影响。实验小褐虾样本来自韩国釜山Dadaepo(35°02′N,128°57′E)附近4 m水深海域的桁杆拖网渔获,共选取80尾样本进行实验,其中雌性40尾、雄性40尾,并分别被独立饲养在40个有沙和40个无沙的2 L容器中。为便于分析,将实验样本设为每组20尾,分别为无沙饲养的雌性组NSF和雄性组NSM,以及有沙饲养的雌性组SAF和雄性组SAM。实验环境条件为水温14℃、盐度32.5、光周期L∶D为12∶12。饲养期间,每天投喂新鲜的冷冻虾肉,投喂24 h后将残饵虹吸排除,海水每3天更换1次,整个实验持续100 d。实验前测定每尾实验小褐虾样本的体长和性别。实验中每天检查每个容器中的小褐虾蜕皮、死亡和残饵情况,并记录蜕皮时间以便计算其蜕皮间隔。结果表明,在各组最初样本的甲长分布之间没有显著性差异(P>0.05)的情况下,经过整个实验周期,小褐虾NSF和NSM的存活率分别为28%和10%,而SAF和SAM分别为38%和25%。各对照组个体平均甲长的增长量NSF为1.22 mm、SAF为1.43 mm、NSM为0.6 mm、SAM为0.9 mm。有沙饲养条件下,雌性和雄性的蜕皮间隔分别为15.0 d和15.3 d,而无沙饲养的雌雄的蜕皮间隔分别为16.0 d和16.0 d。无论雌性还是雄性在有沙饲养条件的蜕皮间隔均比无沙饲养的短。有沙饲养的雌、雄个体蜕皮增长率分别为5.2%和4.8%,无沙饲养的蜕皮增长率分别为3.7%和3.2%,在有沙饲养条件下雌、雄的蜕皮增长率均较无沙饲养的要大。有沙饲养的雌雄个体生长速度均较无沙饲养的要快,有沙饲养的雌性个体绝对增长率相对于雄性个体要更高。在提供沙质底质的条件下,小褐虾的存活率提高,蜕皮间隔明显缩短,蜕皮增长率增大,更有利于小褐虾的生长。[中国水产科学,2007,14(1):90-98]     

Feeding success and survivorship of Arctic cod larvae,Boreogadus saida,in the Northeast Water polynya (Greenland Sea)*

We tested the hypothesis that enhanced feeding success and survivorship of Arctic cod larvae in the Northeast Water polynya (Greenland Sea) are associated with high densities of their zooplankton prey in areas of low sea ice concentration. From late May to early August 1993, first-feeding yolk-sac larvae (6.5–8.5 mm long) were collected primarily along the coast and over shallow banks in the polynya, whereas post yolk-sac larvae (8.5–14 mm) were more uniformly dispersed over the sampling area. Arctic cod larvae < 14 mm fed almost exclusively on copepod nauplii (74% of total prey number) and copepod eggs (16%). Feeding success was defined as the residuals of the regression of the number of prey ingested against larval length. Nauplii density varied from 9600 to 731300 nauplii m^-2(equivalent to 0.16 to 12.2 nauplii 1^-1) but, contrary to our hypothesis, seldom limited the feeding success of Arctic cod larvae. Water temperature was the best predictor of feeding success in larvae of all sizes. First-feeding success and survivorship were low for larvae hatched before mid-July, and improved thereafter as surface temperatures increased in the open waters of the polynya. There was no relationship between feeding success and irradiance or wind. Assuming a fixed spawning season, it is concluded that a larger fraction of the newly hatched larvae would experience adequate temperatures in years when the polynya opens early. Based on this conclusion, we propose that the timing of the opening of polynyas is a critical determinant of year- class strength in Arctic cod, a key species in the Arctic food web.