Influence of Stocking Density on Growth and Physiological Responses of Beluga,Huso huso (Brandt, 1869), and Ship Sturgeon,Acipenser nudiventris (Lovetsky, 1828), Juveniles in a Flow‐through System |
| |
| Authors: | Mohammad Yooneszadeh Feshalami Farokh Amiri Mansour Nikpey Seyed Abdolsaheb Mortazavizadeh Enric Gisbert Mansour Torfi Mozanzadeh |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Iran Fisheries Research Organization (IFRO), South Iran Aquaculture Research Center, Ahwaz, Iran;2. Unitat de Cultius Experimentals, IRTA, Centre de Sant Carles de la Rápita (IRTA‐SCR), Sant Carles de la Rápita, Spain;3. Fisheries Department, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khorramshahr Marine Science and Technology University, Khorramshahr, Iran |
| |
| Abstract: | The influence of three different initial stocking densities (low stocking density LSD] = 1.5 kg/m2; medium stocking density MSD] = 3 kg/m2; and high stocking density HSD] = 6 kg/m2) in flow‐through systems was evaluated on growth and welfare in beluga, Huso huso, and ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, juveniles for 2 mo. Fish were kept in 18 concrete square tanks (2.0 × 1.0 × 1.2 m3) at 22.3 ± 0.4 C and under a natural photoperiod. In both species, the growth performance in terms of final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed intake significantly decreased with increasing stocking density (P < 0.05). In both species, the percent of neutrophils increased after 60 d of trial (P < 0.05). Moreover, hematocrit and white blood cell counts increased after 60 d of trial in ship sturgeon (P < 0.05). Plasma immunoglobulin significantly decreased with increasing stocking density in both species. Plasma insulin‐like growth factor I decreased with increasing stocking density in beluga; however, it was not affected in ship sturgeon. Overall, these results showed that the LSD group in both species demonstrated more homogeneous and higher growth rate than the MSD and HSD groups. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
