Optimal stocking density for beluga, Huso huso , and ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris during the grow‐out phase

Abstract

Summary The influence of three different initial stocking densities (SD) in flowthrough systems was evaluated on growth performance and feed utilizaition in beluga, Huso huso, and ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, juveniles in three different grow‐out phases for 228 days. In each grow‐out phase, fish were randomly distributed in 18 concrete square tanks (2.0 × 1.0 × 1.2 m3; 2 m3 of volume) according to the experimental SD. At the first phase, both fish species were subjected to three SD including 1.5, 3 and 6 kg/m2 for 60 days. In the second phase, fish were submitted to three SD including 3, 6 and 9 kg/m2, whereas in the third phase, beluga were stocked at 6, 9 and 12 kg/m2 and ship sturgeon were stocked at 6, 8 and 10 kg/m2 and each phase lasted for 12 weeks. In both species, the growth performance and feed intake (FI) significantly decreased with increasing SD at the end of the first phase (p < 0.05). In the second phase, growth performance and FI in beluga decreased with increasing SD, whereas in ship sturgeon neither growth nor FI were affected by SD. Interestingly, the growth performance and feed utilization in both species were not decreased with increasing SD in the third phase indicating adaptability of these species to high stocking density during grow‐out period. According to the result of this study, the appropriate initial SD for beluga within the range of 100–500, 500–2,000 and 1,500–3,000 g were at 1.5, 6 and 12 kg/m2, respectively in an open flow‐throw system. Regarding to ship sturgeon, initial SD at 1.5 and 10 kg/m2recommended for fish within the range of 100–300 and 300–1,200 g, respectively in an open flow‐throw system.

Preliminary rearing outcomes of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Brandt, juveniles in autonomous hatching and rearing modules

“…In the current study, stocking density was not observed to affect the FCR values of Siberian sturgeon, which could indicate that the digestion and assimilation of the feed was not affected by the higher stocking density. Similar results were obtained in the rearing of fringebarbel sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris Lovetsky, and Amur sturgeon (Ni et al 2016, Feshalami et al 2019). These results differ from those obtained with other sturgeon species, such as beluga and Atlantic sturgeon, in both of which the adverse effects of increased stocking density resulted in increased FCR values and lower growth (Rafatnezhad et al 2008, Szczepkowski et al 2011.…”

Effects of stocking density during live transportation on haematological parameters of Siberian sturgeon ( Acipenser baerii , Brandt, 1869)

“…The stocking density in aquaculture is a critical parameter that directly affects water quality, survival rate, feed intake, growth, immune system, gene expression, and reproduction (fertility) (Feshalami et al, 2019;Hastein et al, 2015;Jia et al, 2016;Luna et al, 2018;Minaz & Kubilay, 2021;Yarahmadi et al, 2016). Therefore, stocking density plays a key role in production and profits.…”