Possibility of Culture of Pike Conger Muraenesox cinereus Using Wild Leptocephali

Two groups (Groups I and II) of pike conger leptocephali caught in Nobeoka Bay, Miyazaki Prefecture were raised to juveniles without feeding, and the juveniles just after metamorphosis were reared with feeding to explore the possibilities of culture of the fish using its sea-caught leptocephali. Rearing period was 90 days in Group I and 50 days in Group II. The fish were fed solely on minced squid flesh during the first 30 (Group 1) or 20 (Group II) days, then on a mixture of minced squid flesh and assorted feed for freshwater eel during the next 30 (Group I) or 20 (Group II) days, and then solely on the assorted feed during the last 30 (Group I) or 10 (Group II) days. Survival was more than 80% during 70 days between the 20th and 90th day after the start of feeding in Group I and during the whole period of 50 days in Group II. The highest daily growth rate was 9.55% in Group I and water temperature was 23.9±0.6°C during the period (30-40th day after the start of feeding), and 8.19% in Group II and water temperature was 24.2±0.6°C during the period (the first 10 days). These results imply that culture of the pike conger using sea-caught leptocephali is possible if distribution and settlement of the latest stage of the leptocephali were made clear and enough catches were maintained.