Estimation of body weight of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae by image analysis

Abstract Text:

The present study aimed to develop non-destructive methods to accurately follow the growth of fish larvae and post-larvae. European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) aged 71-100 days post fertilization (dpf; 20-419 mg) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aged 14 dpf (10-25 mg) were used as model species. Several measurements were performed on digital pictures of larvae to model body weight. Using body surface area, contour, length and depth, it was possible to estimate accurately the body weight of young European sea bass and Nile tilapia (r² of 0.98 and 0.95, respectively).

Keywords:

Image analysis

Body weight

Surface area

European sea bass

Nile tilapia