Effects of water temperature on the embryonic period of Pacific rainbow smelt Osmerus dentex

抄録

To clarify the relationship between water temperature and the embryonic period of Pacific rainbow smelt Osmerus dentex, we incubated eggs in the laboratory with water-temperature conditions close to those of the spawning season (8-14°C). The relationship between the mean incubation temperature (T℃), and mean embryonic period (D, days) were as follows: D = 147.3/(T-3.4). The hatching rates 8°C and 10°C were significantly higher than those at higher temperatures (12°C and 14°C). From these results, it was possible to accurately estimate the incubation period and appropriate temperature for hatching.