Effects of water temperature and salinity on feeding and growth of immature Japanese lates Lates japonicus

The Japanese lates, Lates japonicus is an endemic fish to the Pacific coast of southern Japan, and commonly found in estuaries and coastal waters of Miyazaki and Kochi Prefectures. The larvae, juveniles and young fish stay in the eelgrass, Zostera japonica beds in brackish water areas. Effects of water temperature and salinity on feeding and growth of immature L. japonicus were studied using combinations of seven levels of temperatures (16 to 28℃) and 6 different salinities (9 to 34 ppt) over two experimental periods each of 30 days. At each of these conditions, ten fish were reared in aquaria for periods of 30 days. Based on values of the daily feeding rates, specific growth rates and feeding efficiencies, we found that immature L. japonicus were euryhaline and at salinities ranged from 9 to 34 ppt showed similar feeding and growth rates. The suitable water temperature range was 22 to 28℃, and the optimal water temperature range was 26 to 28℃ for feeding and growth for immature L. japonicus.