An investigation of ontogenic development of mouth and its size in larval and juvenile of Vimba vimba

In this study, mouth morphological development and the importance of size of pellet food at the onset of exogenous feeding, with respect to mouth size from hatching through 60s day after hatching (DAH), were studied in larval and juvenile Vimba bream (Vimba vimba). The samples were randomly taken at 1-8 DAH, then with 2, 5, and 10 days intervals until 60 DAH (being released into the sea). Morphological examinations of mouth were followed using SEM. The length of upper and lower jaws as well as the size of mouth gap at 45° and 90° were calculated to estimate the size of pellet food. The larval mouth opened at 1 DAH and filiform papillae, and lips began to form at 2 DAH. The first taste buds developed at 3 DAH. The larval mouth developed a crescent shape at 4 DAH and the structure of papilla became clear. A number of neuromast cells were observed around the mouth at 8 DAH. Finally, it can be concluded that with the onset of exogenous feeding, Vimba vimba larvae is probably able to ingest and digest 110 µm pellet food since 8 DAH. Thus, since 20 DAH until the end of larval rearing period, formulated diets can only be used.