Metric Characters and Body Indices of Juvenile Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus Raised in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)

• Main Authors: Mărioara Nicula, Zoltan-Tibor Szelei, Nicolae Pacala, Marian Bura, Eliza Simiz, Adela Marcu, Valeriu Caraba, Marian Hotea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Agroprint Timisoara 2015-05-01
• Series: Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies
• Subjects: acipenser ruthenus, body indices, recirculating aquaculture system (ras), somatic measurements
• Online Access: http://spasb.ro/index.php/spasb/article/view/2016

Our research was performed on juvenile sterlets (Acipenser ruthenus), aged between 346-431 days, maintained in five round pools (Ø=3 m, V=6 m3, h-100 cm) and fed with a commercial extruded pellet (3 mm granulation, 48% CP, and 10% EE). Body weight and total body length on 30 individuals from each tank were determined every two weeks. Weighing and somatic measurements achieved at the end of experimental period (standard length-l, body weight-G, maximum body high–H, maximum body perimeter (Pmax), head length–lh,, caudal peduncle length-lp) allowed us to calculate the following body indices: profile index, thickness index, Fulton index, Kiselev index, meat index. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPPS IBM 22 and Minitab 16 software. Data were reported as Mean±Sx at a significant level of p<0.05. Testing differences between means was realized by ANOVA completed with post-hoc Tukey test. Results obtained led to conclude that specimens analyzed had a good maintenance and feeding, an adequate development, a high proportion of meat, an elongated body and a straight back, and they are eligible for selection.