Article

Effects of light spectrum and tank background colour on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) larvae performances

Details

Citation

Sierra-Flores R, Davie A, Grant B, Carboni S, Atack T & Migaud H (2016) Effects of light spectrum and tank background colour on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) larvae performances. Aquaculture, 450, pp. 6-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.06.041

Abstract
Light is a key environmental cue involved in the entrainment and regulation of fish development and physiology. Species specific spectral differences in sensitivity are believed to be an adaptation to the species' ecological niche and therefore fish larvae are predisposed to perform better under specific light environments. This study investigated the effects of light spectrum including blue (455nm), green (530nm), red (640nm) and white on larvae performances of two temperate marine species, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). In both species, larvae exposed to shorter wavelengths (blue and green spectrums) showed significantly enhanced growth in comparison to larvae exposed to longer wavelengths (red). However, green spectrum appeared to reduce survival rates for both species. Larvae performances in the colour background experiment differed between species with cod larvae survival enhanced when exposed to a blue background but growth performances reduced. No significant impacts of background colour were seen in turbot. The results of the present study highlight the importance of considering light environment in marine larvae rearing protocols to enhance larval performance and survival.

Keywords
Marine teleosts; Larviculture; Light wavelength; Tank colour; Growth; Survival

Journal
Aquaculture: Volume 450

StatusPublished
Publication date01/01/2016
Publication date online04/07/2015
Date accepted by journal26/06/2015
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/22613
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0044-8486

People (2)

Dr Stefano Carboni

Dr Stefano Carboni

Aquatic Invertebrate Zoologist, Institute of Aquaculture

Professor Herve Migaud

Professor Herve Migaud

Honorary Professor, Institute of Aquaculture