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Transpositional feeding rhythm of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus from larvae to juveniles and its ontogenesis under artificial rearing conditions

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Abstract

The diel feeding rhythm and ontogenesis during early life stage of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus were investigated under experimental conditions (light: L 06:00–18:00, D 18:00–06:00 h). Morphological and behavioral developments of loach from newly hatched to 40 days after hatching were observed. Larvae were able to prey on daphnia 3–4 days after hatching at 23 ± 0.5°C. As the larvae grew, they showed an increasing feeding capacity and a distinct feeding rhythm. Feeding intensity and incidence for day-4 larvae were highest at 10:00 and 16:00 h. The highest levels of feeding intensity for day-12 larvae occurred at 08:00, 12:00, and 18:00 h as did feeding incidence. By day 20, when the larvae metamorphosed, the highest levels of feeding intensity occurred at 06:00, 18:00, and 24:00 h and were concurrent with the highest feeding incidence. After metamorphosis, feeding capacity had again increased considerably and, in contrast to the earlier stages before day 20, feeding intensity for day-30 juveniles peaked at 05:00 and 20:00 h, about 1–2 h after the maximum feeding incidence. The feeding rhythm of loach juveniles at day 40 was almost the same as the day-30 juveniles. The estimated maximum daily feeding rates were 43.1%, 33.4%, 19.0%, 12.8%, and 5.8% of body weight on days 4, 12, 20, 30, and 40, respectively. Thus, loach was found to have different feeding rhythms in the pre- and post-metamorphosis stages, with the highest feeding activity in daytime during the larval planktonic stage before metamorphosis, and intensely nocturnal feeding behavior during the juvenile benthic stage after metamorphosis.

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Acknowledgments

This research is funded by “National Key Technology R&D Program in Eleventh Five-Year Plan” (China) entitled “High quality and high efficiency freshwater aquaculture technology research program” (accession number: 2006BAD03B07) and “The integrated demonstration of safe fishery production” (accession number: 2006BAK02A22). This research is also a component of the AquaFish-ACRSP (Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program), supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Fishery & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Youji Wang, Menghong Hu, Weimin Wang, Biping Lü & Rongrong Yao

  2. School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109–1115, USA

    Ling Cao

  3. College of Aqua-Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Fisheries University, Shanghai, 200090, China

    Yi Yang

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  1. Youji Wang
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  2. Menghong Hu
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  3. Weimin Wang
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  4. Ling Cao
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  5. Yi Yang
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  6. Biping Lü
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  7. Rongrong Yao
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Correspondence to Weimin Wang.

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Wang, Y., Hu, M., Wang, W. et al. Transpositional feeding rhythm of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus from larvae to juveniles and its ontogenesis under artificial rearing conditions. Aquacult Int 16, 539–549 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-007-9164-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-007-9164-4

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