CONVERTING POND-REARED PIKEPERCH FINGERLINGS, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), TO ARTIFICIAL FOOD - EFFECT OF WATER TEMPERATURE

Abstract

Four water temperatures (18, 20, 22 and 24 ^oC), two feeds (live zooplankton and trout pellets) were evaluated to determine their influence on the results of training pond-reared (W 0.25 g, TL 3.29 cm) pikeperch fingerlings, Stizostedion lucioperca, to artificial food under laboratory conditions. The fish were trained to dry diet over a 28-day interval. There were significant differences in survival, cannibalism, condition factors, length and weight gains between temperatures and between diet treatments (P<0.05). Best growth and survival rates occured at 22 ^oC ( both in fish fed zooplankton and trout feed).