Skip to main content
Log in

Individual growth and size-selective mortality of larval turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) reared in enclosures

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Larval turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) were reared in a large marine enclosure and in plastic bags in southern Norway. Samples of larvae in the enclosure were taken during the first 12 d of life to estimate individual body growth based on back calculations from daily growth rings on their otoliths. Size selective mortality was documented for these larvae in the predator-free enclosure. Starvation in the laboratory occurred on the seventh day. In the enclosure, a mortality rate of 18.1% d-1 prevailed. Our data indicates that the survivors beyond the starvation period are larger by 0.18 mm on average. This result is important with regard to the question of whether starvation is an important mechanism for larval mortality in the sea. A possible means of estimating the relative effects of starvation versus predation based on these results and the backcalculation technique is suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Beyer, J.: Feeding success of clupeiod fish larvae and stochastic thinking. Dana 1, 65–91 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, P. M. and H. H. Hansen: Vaekst og overlevelse for larver of pigvar (Scophthalmus maximus). Lab. Ref. Danmarks Fiskeri og Havundersogelser, 83 pp. Charlottelund, Denmark 1980

  • Ellertsen, B., E. Moksness, P. Solemdal, S. Tilseth, T. Westgard and V. Øiestad: Growth and survival of cod larvae in an enclosure experiment and a mathematical model. Rapp. P. v. Reun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 178, 45–57 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E. D.: Food concentration and stocking density effects on survival and growth of laboratory reared larvae of bay anchovy and lined sole. Mar. Biol. 43, 333–341 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E. D.: Critical food concentrations for larvae of three species of subtropical marine fishes. Bull. mar. Sci. 28, 395–411 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell, B. R.: Experiments on the rearing of larval turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fed on artifical diets. Aquaculture 18, 215–225 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A.: Studies on egg development and larval rearing of turbot, Scophthalamus maximus, and brill, Scophthalmus rhombus, in the laboratory. J. mar. biol. Assoc. U.K. 52, 965–986 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhlman, D., G. Quantz and U. Witt: Rearing of turbot larvae (Scophthalmus maximus) on cultured food organisms and postmetamorphosis growth on natural and artificial food. Aquaculture 23, 183–196 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, R., H. M. Feder, G. H. Theilacker and R. H. May: Feeding, growth and survival of Engraulis mordax larvae reared in the laboratory. Mar. Biol. 5, 345–353 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: Growth and survival of haddock larvae in relation to planktonic prey concentration. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 31, 1415–1419 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: A bioenergetic model for the analysis of feeding and survival potential of winter flounder larvae during the period from hatching to metamorphosis. Fish. Bull. U.S. 75, 529–546 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connell, L. P. and L. P. Raymond: The effect of food density on survival and growth of early post yolk sac larvae of the northern anchovy in the laboratory. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 5, 187–197 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricker, W. E.: Effects of size-selective mortality and sampling bias on estimates of growth, mortality, production, and yield. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 26, 479–541 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd, J. G. and D. H. Cushing: A mechanism for density dependent survival of larval fish as the basis of a stock-recruitment relationship. J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 39, 160–167 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ware, D. M.: Relation between egg size, growth and natural mortality of larval fish. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 32, 2503–2515 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherly, A. V.: Growth and ecology of fish populations, 291 pp. London: Academic Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, R. G. and J. H. S. Blaxter: Growth and survival of larval herring in relation to prey density. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 37, 1063–1069 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Øiestad, V. and E. Moksness: Study of growth and survival of herring larvae using plastic bag and concrete enclosure methods combined. Rapp. P. v. Reun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 178, 144–149 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Øiestad, U., B. Ellertsen, P. Solemdal and P. Tilseth: Rearing of different species of marine fish fry in a constructed basin. Proc. Eur. mar. biol. Symp. 10, 303–329 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by R. O. Fournier, Halifax

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rosenberg, A.A., Haugen, A. Individual growth and size-selective mortality of larval turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) reared in enclosures. Mar. Biol. 72, 73–77 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393950

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393950

Keywords

Navigation