The effects of temperature, Artemia enrichment, stocking density and light on the growth of juvenile seahorses, Hippocampus whitei (Bleeker, 1855), from Australia

摘要: Abstract The effects of environmental parameters (temperature, feed, stocking density and light levels) on juvenile growth White's seahorse, Hippocampus whitei, were examined over 107 days. Growth rates in animals stocked at about 3 months old increased with increasing temperature from 0.14 mm day−1 17 °C to 0.26 26 °C. Several body condition indices fell temperature, possibly as a result metabolic higher temperatures. hepatosomatic index (HSI) 4.44 2.67 gonadosomatic (GSI) peaked 20 °C, indicating that the optimal for reproduction was seahorses became mature 6–7 old. use Artemia enriched DC Selco® improved non-enriched Artemia, but did not affect indices. There no major densities (range 0.5–1 seahorse l−1) levels 24–136 μE m−2 s−1) limited range tested, there an indication might be inhibited greater than 1 l−1.