a comparative study on different transition times from live food to artificial feed in the rearing of pikeperch (sander lucioperca) larvae

the aim of the peresent study was to find the optimum weaning time to shift pikeperch larvae feeding from live food to the artificial feed. in this experiment, pikeperch larvae were fed with seived pond zooplankton (mainly rotifers) and artemia nauplii from the first feeding day to day 16 of post-hatching. then three weaning times were used on day 16 (w16), day 22 (w22), and day 28 (w28) of post-hatching, and compared with a control group (fed on only live food). according to the obtained results, the best growth (mean weight gain = 152. 8 mg) and the highest survival rate (61.6%) were found in larvae fed only on live food during the whole period of rearing. the lowest weight gain (28 mg) and the lowest survival rate (13.3%) were observed in larvae weaned at day 16 post-hatching. from the biological point of view (growth parameters), the most suitable method of pikeperch larvae rearing was exclusively with live food throughout the experiment (0-34 days), however, the results of growth performance in larvae weaned at day 28 post-hatching was noticeable.