This study was conducted to determine the optimal temperature for Juvenile Coreius guichenoti, which is critically endangered in China. Test fish with an initial body weight range of 17.60-18.78 g were reared in 5 independent recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with three tanks (50 fish/tank) for 8 weeks. The water temperature of the RAS was set at 14 °C, 18 °C, 22 °C, 26 °C, and 30 °C, respectively. At conclusion of the feeding trial, the effects of water temperature on C. guichenoti were analyzed based on survival, growth performance, digestive enzymes activities, and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the fish survived in all temperature groups. The fish in the groups (26 °C and 30 °C) had higher values of body length, body weight, specific growth rate, weight gain rate, and daily gain than those in the group (22 °C). The lowest values of growth performance were observed in the groups (14 °C and 18 °C) among the 5 groups. The lowest values of feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in the group (26 °C). Regression analysis identified the minimum FCR at 26.55 °C. The feeding rates (FR) were increased gradually with the increase of temperature. Regression analysis identified the maximum FR at 28.33 °C. The activities of protease and lipase in the gut were higher than those in the liver, while amylase activity was lower in the gut than that in the liver. There were no significant differences in activities of protease and lipase among different parts of the intestinal tract at the temperatures range from 18 to 26 °C. When the temperature was out the optimal range, C. guichenoti would be under chronic stress, resulting in decreased lysozyme activity and cortisol concentration. Inconclusion, the optimal temperature for juvenile C. guichenoti is 26.55-28.33 °C based on the maximal growth performance and feed utilization.
Keywords: Coreius guichenoti; Digestive enzymes; Growth; Serum indices; Temperature.
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