The effects of permanent and variable illumination on the growth, physiological and hematological parameters of the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) juveniles

Under laboratory conditions, the influence of permanent and variable illumination on sturgeon juveniles was studied. The growth rate increased within a wide range of light intensity (30-800 lux). The intensity of respiration, total consumption of food and oxygen increased, and the oxygen expenditures for the rnass increment and feeding coefficient decreased. The 24-h darkening produced opposite values of these parameters. Under the variable illumination with the definite amplitude and periodicity, the growth of sturgeon juveniles became higher. The oxygen expenditures for mass increment decreased and food conversion decreased. Under varying regimes optimal for the growth of sturgeon juveniles, the number of monocytes decreased and that of limphocytes increased. The number of lipids and protein in the fish muscles significantly rose under variable regimes. the water amount being lowered.