Temperature-influenced growth and survival of burbot Lota lota (L.) larvae fed live food under controlled conditions

Abstract

The growth and survival of burbot Lota lota (L.) larvae reared from the first feeding on freshly hatched Artemia franciscana nauplii at 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24C was compared in a 20-day experiment. Nauplii of the commercial strain Artemia proved to be an excellent start diet for L. lota larvae. The best fish growth was found at 21C where they attained a final average total length of 14.4 mm and an average body weight of 37.1 mg. The highest final survival rates of 90 and 92% were recorded at 12 and 15C, respectively. At all higher water temperatures, larval final survival rates were significantly lower, with the minimum value of 41% at 24C. In light of these results, it is evident that either temperatures lower or higher than 21C are outside of the optimal range for L. lota larvae as they produce relatively slow growth or poor survival or both.