Effect of the timing of initial feeding on growth and survival of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae

Effect of the timing of first feeding (9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 days post hatch) with a live food (Artemia naupli) on Persian sturgeon was examined at 17.7±0.8 and 18.1±0.4°C. The results showed that the timing of first feeding affected on weight, length, length-weight ratio and specific growth rate, but one day delay in the timing of initial feeding doesn't affect on the survival and two days delay in the timing of initial feeding doesn't affect on the condition factor. Results of this research showed that some factors such as weight, length, length-weight ratio and specific growth rate, are more suitable than survival and condition factor for exhibiting of effects of delay in the starting time of initial feeding in Persian sturgeon fish larvae. Thus it is better that the initial feeding of Persian sturgeon at 17.7±0.8 and 18.1 ±0.4°C started on 12 and 9 days after hatching, respectively, as well as more delay in initiating exogenous feeding has negative effects on growth of larvae