The effect of diet on growth and survival of first feeding pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus

The Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Program determined propagation of pallid sturgeon as necessary to recover the species. State and federal hatcheries are operating to achieve production goals but until recently those goals were not met. Hatchery mangers identified initiation of larvae to feed as the most critical rearing period and stated that mortality during this period can determine hatchery year class strength. The discontinuation of a commercial diet used at many hatcheries and the variety of diets used at other hatcheries exposed a need for information quantified through analytical research on the effects of different diets on survival and growth of larval pallid sturgeon. In 2007 we evaluated the effects of five diets [Corey High Pro and freeze dried Cyclop-eeze (FDC), Otohime (OTO), BioVita, BioVita and frozen Cyclop-eeze, BioVita and FDC] on larval survival and growth over 60 day. In 2008 we again evaluated five diets (OTO, OTO and FDC, OTO and freeze dried Artemia, OTO and live Artemia, and ARS experimental diet) for 30 day. In 2007, we determined a diet of OTO produced relatively high survival (54%) compared to other stand alone diets and found that supplementing BioVita with FDC improved survival (63%) compared to BioVita alone (14%). In 2008, we determined that OTO supplemented with FDC increased survival (92%) compared to OTO alone (72%). Information from this research may improve the efficiency of propagation by increasing survival and growth and may be beneficial to conservation propagation efforts directed at recovery of the species.