The effect of temperature decrease on carp, Cyprinus carpio L. culture in a temperate climate. Part I. Survival of carp juvenile in ponds and swim bladder inflammation

Abstract

The greatest losses in central and eastern European carp culture are caused by the high mortality of juveniles usually during the first three to four weeks after pond stocking in late spring. The pronounced weather fluctuations of this period, including drastic falls in temperature, endanger the survival of this warm-water fish. By quantifying the effect of considerable temperature decreases on the survival of juvenile carp, logarithmic increases in carp survival rate were apparent as favourable thermal conditions extended from 1 to 40 days. Simultaneously, a decrease in carp swim bladder inflammation was observed. The trend toward increasing frequency and amplitude of weather fluctuations might intensify this problem.