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What is the #1 cause of low larval mortality
Topic Started: Aug 4 2010, 11:19:48 AM (218 Views)
Post #1 Aug 4 2010, 11:19:48 AM	sterling18
Water condition Food Crowding	breeding stock Posts: 63 Group: Members Member #239 Joined: May 6, 2010 Name Peter
Post #2 Aug 5 2010, 06:44:54 AM	Suzy
The cause of LOW mortality would be all three! Give larvae and fry what they need, and they will live and grow! But, high mortality rates are more difficult to assess, IMO. I think crowding should be moved to water condition, because too many fry can change the entire environment, and can change it quickly. Ammonia spikes are quickly fatal, as with depleted oxygen or increased co2 levels. Food sources and nutritional issues take longer, I think. Some larvae have a sac of food built in to give them some time to start to begin to feed, some have to learn to get food. If the right food is provided, they will flourish. But, the wrong food, or not enough can cause them to slowly waste away. Plus, I think feeding something that is not part of the fishes natural food source can be detrimental over the long run. We have all had a brood survive for a few weeks then slowly succumb over a few days. I think that may be because of a deficiency in it's diet. Plus, weakened immune systems can be directly related to diet. So, my answer: All 3! Just my thoughts....	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!
Post #3 Aug 5 2010, 12:56:50 PM	Larry H
I agree with Suzy but would add that if separated into a small tank, water quality and temperature would also be a factor. Many people put their newly hatched fry into tanks that have little or no filtration and that could be a problem with some foods after a few days. I would think that fry that are fed the right live foods will have a better chance at survival. I have never had a problem with too crowded, nothing of mine ever live that long, but I guess that could be a problem for some. I always had a problem getting through the egg stage. Edited by Larry H, Aug 5 2010, 12:58:51 PM.	breeding stock Posts: 442 Group: Members Member #13 Joined: July 26, 2008
Post #4 Aug 12 2010, 07:04:33 AM	Amie
Good question! I agree with what has been said. If the larvae have an yolk sac, then water condition has to be the cause in the first few days. That would include, as Larry pointed out, temperature, salinity, water quality, O2 levels, etc. But after that, it becomes nutrition. If they aren't getting exactly what they need, they die quickly. If you feed rotifers to baby clowns that have not been gutt-loaded, your fry will not last more than a day or two.	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,362 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
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