Effect of Water Temperature and Formulated Diets on Growth and Survival of Larval Paddlefish

Larval paddlefish Polyodon spathula were raised in tanks from hatching to metamorphosis at four constant water temperatures (I 6, 20, 24, and 28-degrees-C) and fed three salmonid diets with different physical densities. Larvae reared at 20-degrees-C and fed either of the two diets with the slower sinking rates had the best growth and survival at 30 d posthatch; survival ranged from 65 to 81%, and body weight ranged from 838 to 850 mg. A temperature of 24-degrees-C was sublethal and 28-degrees-C was lethal, whereas 16-degrees-C depressed survival and growth. Dietary nutrient content affected the proximate composition of larvae.