Effects of light wavelengths and intensities on phototaxis and feeding behavior of the mangrove killifish Kryptolebias marmoratus larvae

Abstract

To validate effective light conditions for larviculture, we investigated the effects of wavelengths and intensities of light on phototaxis and feeding behavior in the mangrove killifish Kryptolebias marmoratus larvae. We used four different light wavelengths (white, with peaks at 460 and 570 nm; blue at 470 nm; green at 525 nm; and red at 660 nm) and two intensities (0.5, 2.0 W m^-2). Mangrove killifish larvae showed positive phototaxis under all light wavelengths regardless of light intensities. Artemia franciscana nauplii showed a tendency to be swarm at corner of the water observation. Feeding amount of Artemia by fish larvae under white light was 1.7 times higher than that under red light. These results suggest that mangrove killifish larvae may efficiently feed in shorter wavelength of light.