Effects of temperature on the embryonic development and fatty acid composition of newly hatched barramundi (Lates calcarifer) larvae

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of water temperature on embryonic development and fatty acid composition of newly hatched barramundi larvae. The fertilised eggs were incubated at 28, 30, 32 and 34°C in composite tanks (300 L/tank) with three replicates per treatment. The results showed that the temperature during egg incubation had significant effects on embryonic development. The timing to reach the major developmental stages of embryos was longest in eggs incubated at 28°C. The hatching rate and survival rate of 2DAH were highest in the 28 and 30°C temperatures and significantly reduced in the higher temperature groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) compositions of newly hatched barramundi larvae (P > 0.05), whereas the 2DAH larvae showed significantly different among treatments (P < 0.05). At 34°C, the HUFA of 2DAH larvae significantly reduced compared to those kept at lower temperatures. The findings of the present study indicated that the optimum temperature for embryonic development and newly hatched barramundi larvae should be in range of 28 and 30°C.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53818/jfst.01.2022.97