RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STOCKING DENSITY, GROWTH, CANNIBALISM AND SURVIVAL RATE IN INTENSIVELY CULTURED LARVAE AND JUVENILES OF PERCH (PERCA-FLUVIATILIS)

The influence of stocking density on the dynamics of growth, cannibali sm and survival (GCS) was investigated in cultured larvae (0-44 day ol d fish, 500-4 000 fish m(-2), 20-23 degrees C) and juveniles (60-143 d ay old fish, 95-2 380 fish m(-2), 23 degrees C) of perch Perca fluviat ilis. High stocking density granted significantly (P < 0.01) more homo geneous growth patterns within the cultured stocks that decreased the overall mortality rate and emergence of cannibals. The impact of canni balism was proportionally decreased when fish grew more slowly. Weaned juvenile perch showed higher growth at high stocking density (P < 0.0 5). Cannibalism was suppressed by size-sorting after 24 days of rearin g and was most intense at intermediate densities till this moment (P < 0.01).