Katayoun Mahmoudi, Mohammad Ali Nematollahi, Rezvanollah Kazemi, Bagher Mojazi Amiri, Kamran Rezaei Tavabe,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the optimal salinity for rearing the juveniles of Starry Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) in enclosed environments. Sturgeon with an average initial weight of 54.11 ± 1.54 g were raised in 500-liter fiberglass tanks (average temperature 22.58 ± 0.14 °C)in a control group (freshwater) and two treatment groups (6 and 12 ppt) in 3 replicates for 60 days. They were fed with commercial feed (Faradaneh) twice a day. At the end of the rearing period, specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), condition factor (CF) and hepatosomatic index (HIS) in experimental fish (12 ppt) were significantly elevated compared to control fish (p≤ 0.05). Food conversion ratio (FCR), on the other hand, was significantly reduced in the experimental fish (p≤ 0.05). The survival rate of fish was 100%. Intestinal villi length and internal space were significantly elevated and reduced in 12 ppt salinity, respectively (p≤ 0.05). The results suggest that the optimal salinity at this point of Starry Sturgeon life is the Caspian Sea water salinity (12 ppt) which provides the conditions for introducing this species as a suitable species for rearing in enclosed environments in natural water resources. Considering that A. stellatus lives in waters with diverse salinities at different stages of its life, it is important to know the appropriate weight and salinity for releasing in order to increase the percentage of survival and improve growth.
