Caspian whitefish, Rutilus frisii kutum Kamensky, ۱۹۰۱ a potential aquaculture candidate: study on the cumulative effects of salinity and temperature on culture performance

In this study, growth and survival of the Caspian whitefish, Rutilus frisii kutum, (mean weight ۰.۵۹±۰.۰۶g) have been estimated at different rearing salinities (۰, ۵ and ۱۰‰) and temperatures (۲۴ and ۲۸˚C). Maximum fish weight gain (۴۹۳.۶۵±۱۴.۰۷%) and specific growth rate (SGR) (۲.۷۴±۰.۱۵%), and minimum feed conversion ratio (FCR) (۱.۶۶±۰.۰۶) were obtained at salinity of ۵‰ and temperature of ۲۴˚C. There were significant differences in fish weight and length gain between the two rearing temperatures at salinity of ۱۰‰ and between salinities of ۰ and ۵‰ at ۲۴˚C (p<۰.۰۵). However, salinity and temperature did not significantly affect fish survival. Factorial analysis of variance showed significant cumulative effects of salinity and temperature on fish weight and length gain, final weight and SGR (p<۰.۰۵). This study confirmed that optimization of salinity and temperature is crucial in rearing a new fish species. Caspian whitefish fingerlings can be grown well at ۵‰ and ۲۴˚C although, it is recommended that the effects of a broader range of environmental variables as well as feed items must also be examined.

Keywords:

Caspian whitefish , Rutilus frisii kutum , Salinity , Temperature , Growth indices , Survival