The Effect of Non-Circadian Photoperiod on Growth and Puberty Onset of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill

SIMPLE SUMMARY: There has been intensive research addressing the positive effects of different prolonged photoperiods on wide spectrum of aspects of salmonids aquaculture. The present study was an attempt to assess non-circadian photoperiod regimens on growth and puberty onset of brook trout. We found regimen under which fish was exposed to 48 h of natural ambient photoperiod alternating with 24 h of constant light to be remarkably effective on the delay of gonad development and onset of puberty, enabling fish farmers to fight with negative aspects related to brook trout puberty. ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a prolonged photoperiod on growth rate and sexual maturation in brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis. The task of the experiment was to determine the most effective light regimen capable to minimizing the effects of puberty, including impairment of somatic growth and further general characteristics. In this regard, the studied fish were reared under three photoperiod regimens in which fish were exposed to 24 h continuous light alternating with 24 or 48 h under the ambient photoperiod or 48 h continuous light alternating with a 24 h ambient photoperiod. A control group was reared under the natural ambient photoperiod. Four-hundred and fifty fish with an average initial body weight of 101.3 ± 1.2 g were used for each experimental group (three replicates of each treatment plus control). A statistically lower growth rate showed control groups in both sexes. At the end of the study, control males had an average body weight of 226.6 ± 39.8 g and control females a body weight of 199.8 ± 12.2 g. At the same period, a significantly higher average body weight was found in groups reared 24 h under ambient photoperiod alternating with a 48 h continuous light regime (2CP:1AP) in both sexes (296.56 ± 62.5 g—males, and 239.9 ± 19.2 g—females, respectively). A significantly higher percentage of sexually mature fish was observed in the control group (80% of males and 29% of females, respectively). We found significantly fewer sexually mature females compared to males. The lowest survival was observed in group 2CP:1AP at 92%. It was concluded that regimen under which fish was exposed to 48 h of natural ambient photoperiod alternating with 24 h of constant light (1CP:2AP) lead to the successful delay of gonad development and onset of puberty and increased somatic growth in both sexes.