Abstract

Objective: To understand the effect of weaning time on the rearing performance of yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi dorsalis in the experimental condition. Methods: The same weaning protocol started on four different days of post hatching (DPH), including 12 DPH (W12), 15 DPH (W15), 18 DPH (W18), and 21 DPH (W21), respectively. Growth, survival, and jaw malformation were used as the assessment criteria to evaluate the impact of weaning time on the performance of yellowtail amberjack larvae. Results: The highest specific growth rate was observed in W21 treatment, and the lowest specific growth rate was found in W12 treatment. The highest survival was achieved in W21 treatment, and the lowest survival was recorded in W12 treatment. With postponing the weaning started time, jaw malformation rate significantly reduced. At the end of this study, the highest malformation rate was observed in W12 treatment, and the malformation rate was not significantly different in W15, W18, and W21 treatment. Conclusions: Base on the results obtained in this study, we suggest that weaning of yellowtail amberjack larvae should be started from 15 DPH.

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