Effects of different photoperiods on growth, stress and haematological parameters in juvenile great sturgeon Huso huso |
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Authors: | Ali Bani,Mehdi Tabarsa,Bahram Falahatkar,& Ashkan Banan |
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Affiliation: | Fisheries Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Iran |
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Abstract: | The effects of constant light (24L:00D), no light (00L:24D) and two light–dark periods (18L:06D;12L:12D) on the growth, stress and haematological variables were assessed in juvenile great sturgeon, Huso huso . During the 8-week experimental period, juveniles (22.5 ± 0.6 g) were kept under a 150 lx light intensity in fibreglass tanks (0.8 m2, 500 L). Differences in growth were insignificant during the experiment, but lactate levels were higher in the 00L:24D and 24L:00D photoperiods compared with 12L:12D and 18L:06D photoperiods. Cortisol levels did not show differences among the various photoperiods. At the end of the experimental period, fish reared under a 12L:12D photoperiod had higher haemoglobin values and erythrocyte numbers than in the other photoperiods, while no differences were found between groups with regard to haematocrit values or leucocyte numbers. The highest survival rate (89%) was observed in the 12L:12D period in which the levels of lactate and cortisol as stress indicators were minimal. The results indicate that various photoperiods cause different stress levels in juvenile great sturgeon and have no significant effects on growth, at least in short time periods. |
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Keywords: | light regime great sturgeon cortisol lactate haematology growth |
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