Reducing cannibalism among larval striped bass (Morone saxatilis): effect of rearing density and Artemia prey abundance

Abstract

Striped bass larvae (range 16 to 38 days post-hatch, dph), in a series of trials (Trial 1 to 3) of 14 days duration in recirculation systems (tank volume 100 to 200L), exhibited survival and growth that was positively related to ration (70 to 350 stage Ⅱ enriched Artemia/larva/meal, five meals daily) but independent of stocking density (range 1 to 9 larvae/L). Similarly, in smaller static water tanks (15L volume), 2x2 factorial trials (Trial 4 and 5) comparing stocking density (3 and 15 larvae/L, 12 to 28dph) and ration (50, and either 10 or 200 Artemia/larva/meal, five meals daily), survival, growth were significantly dependent on ration (p<0.001) but independent of stocking density, with no interaction effects. The incidence of cannibalism was inversely related to ration size but independent of stocking density. For efficient production of juveniles in recirculation systems, survival of >90% and cannibalism of <7% can be achieved by offering 250 enriched Artemia/larva/meal, five times per day (09:00-21:00h) at a density of up to 15 Larvae/L from 24 to 38dph.