Optimum low salinity to reduce cannibalism and improve survival of the larvae of freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus
Abstract
The freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus is carnivorous and cannibalistic even during the larval and juvenile stages and this behavior causes economic losses in aquaculture. This study examined for the first time the effect of salinity on cannibalism, survival, and growth of African catfish larvae in the hatchery. Larvae (4 days old, median 7.8 mm TL, 2.8 mg BW) of the African catfish were reared for 21 days at nominal salinity 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 ppt. After 21 days, they grew to 10–39 mm (median 22 mm) and 10–490 mg (median 90 mg), with no significant difference by salinity treatments. Survival ratios were similarly low (24–31%) at 0, 1, 3, and 7 ppt and significantly higher (49–55%) at 2, 4, 5, and 6 ppt. Cannibalism was significantly lower, 15–30% at 4–6 ppt, than the 40–50% at 0–3 and 7 ppt. Size variation was lower at 4–6 ppt and higher at 0–3 and 7 ppt. We recommend hatchery rearing of African catfish at the optimum low salinity of 4–6 ppt rather than in full fresh water at least up to 21 days. This rearing method fosters larval welfare and improves hatchery production.
Citation
Kawamura, G., Bagarinao, T., Yong, A. S. K., Sao, P. W., Lim, L. S., & Senoo, S. (2017). Optimum low salinity to reduce cannibalism and improve survival of the larvae of freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus.Publisher
Springer VerlagSubject
Collections
- Journal Articles [1052]
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Article
Survival and settlement rates of Haliotis asinina larvae at different salinity levels
-IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation , 2013 - IAMURE Multidisciplinary ResearchThe study was conducted to determine the optimum salinity levels (24 ppt, 28 ppt, 32 ppt, 36 ppt and 40 ppt) for the survival and settlement rates of H. asinina in a complete randomized design with three replicates each. The experimental animals were reared in 15 glass aquaria for the first run and in plexiglass for the second run. Feeding of Navicula spp. was done once a day. Temperature and dissolved oxygen were monitored throughout the experiment. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA to determine significant difference among treatments at 0.05 level of significance using Social Package for Social Science. Result of the first run showed that 32 ppt had the highest mean survival (1.50%) and mean settlement rate (1.84%). Similar result was also observed in 32 ppt with highest mean survival (9.72%) and mean settlement rate (16.42%). Significant difference existed among treatments during the second run of the experiment. Results showed that 28 ppt and 32 ppt were the optimum salinity levels for survival and settlement rate of H. asinina. Further study should be conducted to determine the tolerance and settlement rates of H. asinina larvae to lower salinities until it reaches juvenile stage with first respiratory pore appearing. -
Conference paper
Preliminary notes on the salinity preference of milkfish, Chanos chanos, fry
- In Proceedings of the International Milkfish Workshop Conference, May 19-22, 1976, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines, 1976 - Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development CenterVertical salinity gradient columns were used to investigate the salinity preference of milkfish fry. Newly captured fry showed a preference for 32‰ salinity. Fry which had been in captivity for one to five days, at 12 or 22‰ salinity, had no salinity preference between waters of 12, 22 or 32‰ salinity.
