A Comparison Study on Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Acipenser persicus Larvae Using Formulated Diets and Live Food

This study was carried out to evaluate the suitability of formulated diets of Acipenser persicus larvae in comparison with live food. This experiment was studied in the International Sturgeon Research Institute. Growth and survival rates of A. persicus larvae produced from the same female breeder were studied through a period of 40 days. The larvae under study were fed formulated diets (Feed B=diet which was produced in the International Sturgeon Research Institute; Feed C=diet which was imported from France; Feed E=diet which was imported from Belgium) without going through a period of adaptation. The initial weight of larvae (mean±SD) in the experimental group was 121.7±17 mg and their final weight was 1181.4±216 mg. Fish showed normal distribution in terms of initial weight and length. The significant differences of growth and survival were observed among all experimental groups (P<0.05). The results obtained from the experiment revealed that the control and Feed E diets had a significant effect on growth and survival rates of A.persicus larvae. The larvae fed Feed C showed the best feeding and growth indices during a period of 40 days; however the survival rate during 40 days was lower in larvae fed Feed C compared with others. Minimum survival rate belonged to fish fed Feed C (16.5 %), whereas maximum survival rate were reported in the control group. Formulated diets have a poor effect on A. persicus larvae feeding.