ISSN:
1749-7345
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Partitioning of larvae and diet selection were examined as strategies to reduce cannibalism in summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus. Methods of partitioning included physical grading by size, baffle interference, and a control. The baffle consisted of a barrier with cells 14-mm square and walls 9-mm high. The barrier was positioned horizontally at a depth where it would divide the tank into two equal volumes of water. Factors which may characterize cannibalism were quantified, including: total length, developmental stage, pigmentation, wet weight, and biomass. Engineered to reduce cannibalism, the baffle instead contributed to a decrease in survival for at least one experiment (P 〈 0.05). Grading by size did not significantly increase survival over that of the untreated control (P 〉 0.05). Mean developmental stage of P. dentatus in the graded treatment was significantly less than fish in either the control or baffle treatments (P 〈 0.05). A factorial design of partition strategy and weaning diet did not demonstrate any difference in survival or measured character (P 〉 0.05). Finally, both inert feeds and live Artemia sp. nauplii were examined for their contribution to the Occurrence of cannibalism. Predicted differences between live and artificial diets were not significant (P 〉 0.05). During experiments, cannibalism was principally observed in late larval and early juvenile stages and was not restricted to post-metamorphic juveniles feeding on premeta-morphic larvae. Methods normally employed to reduce cannibalism (partitioning of larvae and diet selection) do not appear to be effective for P. dentatus.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-7345.1999.tb00680.x
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