The effect of rotifer density on the early life development of the juvenile seahorse <I>Hippocampus kuda</I>

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  • クロウミウマ稚魚の成長に与えるワムシ給餌密度の影響
  • クロウミウマ チギョ ノ セイチョウ ニ アタエル ワムシキュウジ ミツド ノ エイキョウ

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Abstract

This research examined the effect of rotifer density on growth of the juvenile seahorse Hippocampus kuda. Body weight and height were measured under various rotifer densities. Furthermore, the effects of juvenile swimming speed in relation to its growth were investigated. Under high rotifer density conditions (518 ind./ml), the maximum rate of pivot feeding was 32 suctions per hour, which equates to a maximum of 6.4 rotifers per suction. Syngnathids are pivot feeders; sucking rotifers through their snout with seawater. This enables them to ingest multiple food organisms simultaneously. Hence, increasing the rotifer density promoted a higher growth rate at no　additional energy expenditure; this is because there was a higher concentration of rotifer available for consumption. The swimming speed of juvenile in seahorses at the birth was 10.6±4.0 mm/s. After 15 days postpartum, the difference in swimming speed was nominal, decreasing slightly to 10.3±3.4 mm/s. Generally, other fish develop faster swimming speeds after the hatching. However, the seahorse's swimming speed remains very slow, meaning it is unable to swim towards food efficiently in low rotifer density conditions.

Journal

  • Aquaculture Science

    Aquaculture Science 63 (4), 409-415, 2015

    Japanese Society for Aquaculture Science

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