摘要：The effect of timing of the first feeding (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 days post-hatch, dph), on survival and on growth of laboratory-reared obscure puffer (Takifugu obscurur) larvae was examined. Larvae began to feed exogenously at 2-3 dph (2.96±0.05 mm in total length) at 24 °C. Survival of larvae initially fed at 2, 3, 4, and 5 dph was similar (73.2-78.8%), while survival decreased sharply for those larvae whose first feeding was at 6 dph (22.1%), and no larvae were able to survive when food was not offered until 7 and 8 dph. The feeding incidence of larvae fed for the first time at 2, 3.4, and 5 dph reached 100% in 24 h, whereas the feeding incidence decreased gradually in the larvae fed for the first time at 6 and 7 dph, and no feeding occurred in the larvae introduced to food at 8 dph. According to the feeding incidence, the point of no return occurred between days 6 and 7 after hatching. After 18 dph, no statistically significant differences in mean total length were detected among the larvae fed for the first time at 2, 3, 4, and 5 dph, while the larvae fed for the first time at 6 dph were significantly smaller. To ensure a successful transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding, timing of first feeding of obscure puffer larvae must be before 5 dph.
