Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The physiology of digestion in fish larvae

  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Synopsis

The acquisition, digestion, and assimilation of food is critical for the growth and survival of fish larvae; a fish larva either grows or it perishes. Fish larvae are characterized by digestive systems and diets that differ from adults. Larvae undergo a pattern of trophic ontogeny, changing diet with increasing size, and these changes result in differences in digestive requirements. At first feeding, the larval alimentary canal is functional, but is structurally and functionally less complex than that of adults. The larval alimentary canal remains unchanged histologically during the larval period before transformation. During transformation, major changes that result in the development of the adult alimentary canal occur. The ontogeny of the alimentary canal differs in different taxa, and experimental evidence suggests that functional differences exist as well. Assimilation efficiency may be lower in larvae than it is in adult fishes, due to a lack of a morphological and functional stomach in larvae, but the question of improving assimilation efficiencies during larval development before transformation remains unresolved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References cited

  • Alliot, E., A. Pastoureaud & J. Trellur. 1977. Evolution des activitiés enzymatiques dans le tube digestif au cours de la vie larvaire du bar (Dicentrarchus labrax). Variations des protéinogrammes et des zymogrammes. Colloq. Int. Cent. Nat. Rech. Sci 4: 85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appealbaum, S., J.W. Adron, S.G. George, A.M. Mackie & B.J.S. Pirie. 1983. On the development of the olfactory and the gustatory organs of the clover sole, Solea solea. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 63: 97–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balon, E.K. 1979. The juvenilization process in phylogeny and the altricial to precocial forms in the ontogeny of fishes. Env. Biol. Fish. 4: 193–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balon, E.K. 1981. Saltatory processes and altricial to precocial forms in the ontogeny of fishes. Amer. Zool. 21: 573–596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrington, E.J.W. 1957. The alimentary canal and digestion. pp. 109–161. In: M.E. Brown (ed.) The Physiology of Fishes, Vol. 1, Academic Press, New York.

  • Blaxter, J.H.S. 1965. The feeding of herring larvae and their ecology in relation to feeding. Calif. Coop. Oceanic. Fish. Invest. Rep. 10: 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaxter, J.H.S. 1969. Development of eggs and larvae. pp. 178–252. In: W.S. Hoar & D.J. Randall (ed.) Fish Physiology, Vol. 3, Academic Press, New York.

  • Blaxter, J.H.S. & G. Hempel. 1961. Biologische Beobachtungen bei der Aufzucht von Herringsbrut. Helgol. Wiss. Meeresunters. 7: 260–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehlert, G.W. 1984. Scanning electron microscopy. pp. 43–48. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.) Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes, Amer. Soc. Ichthyol. Herpetol., Spec. Publ. 1, Lawrence.

  • Boehlert, G.W. & M.M. Yoklavich. 1984a. Carbon assimilation as a function of ingestion rate in larval Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi Valenciennes. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 79: 251–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehlert, G.W. & M.M. Yoklavich. 1984b. Reproduction, embryonic energetics, and the maternal-fetal relationship in the viviparous genus Sebastes. Biol. Bull. (Woods Hole) 167: 354–370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brett, J.R. & T.D.D. Groves. 1979. Physiological energetics. pp. 279–352. In: W.S. Hoar, D.J. Randall & J.R. Brett (ed.) Fish Physiology, Vol. 8, Academic Press, New York.

  • Buckley, L.J. & D.W. Dillmann. 1982. Nitrogen utilization of larval summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus (Linnaeus). J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 59: 243–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cetta, C.M. & J.M. Capuzzo. 1982. Physiological and biochemical aspects of embryonic and larval development of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus. Mar. Biol. 71: 327–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkley, D.M. 1984. Relation of growth to ingestion for larvae of Atlantic herring Clupea harengus and other fish. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 18: 215–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiba, K. 1961. The basic study on the production of fish seedling under possible control. I. The effect of food in quality and quantity on the survival and growth of the common carp fry. Bull. Freshwater Fish. Res. Lab. (Tokyo) 11: 105–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chitty, N. 1981. Behavioral observations of feeding larvae of bay anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli, and bigeye anchovy, Anchoa lamprotaenia. Rapp. P.-V. Reun. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer 178: 320–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conover, R.J.1978. Transformation of organic matter. pp. 221–500. In: O. Kinne (ed.) Marine Ecology, Vol. 4, Wiley, New York.

  • Conover, R.J. & V. Francis. 1973. The use of radioactive isotopes to measure the transfer of materials in aquatic food chains. Mar. Biol. 10: 272–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crane, R.K. 1975. A digestive-absorptive surface as illustrated by the intestinal cell brush border. Trans. Amer. Microsc. Soc. 94: 529–544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dbrowski, K. 1982. Proteolytic enzyme activity decline in starving fish alevins and larvae. Env. Biol. Fish. 7: 73–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devillers, C. 1961. Structural and dynamic aspects of the development of the teleostean egg. Adv. Morphol. 1: 379–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, R.R.C., D.M. Finlayson & J.H. Steele. 1969. The ecology of O-group plaice and common dabs in Lock Ewe. II. Experimental studies of metabolism. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 3: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen, P.C. 1968. Organogenesis in the walleye surfperch, Hyperprosopon argenteum (Gibbons). Calif. Fish Game 54: 156–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fange, R. & D. Grove. 1979. Digestion. pp. 161–260. In: W.S. Hoar, D.J. Randall & J.R. Brett (ed.) Fish Physiology, Vol. 8, Academic Press, New York.

  • Ferraris, R.P. & G.A. Ahearn. 1984. Sugar and amino acid transport in. fish intestine. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A. Comp. Physiol. 77: 397–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Filatov, V.I. 1972. Effectiveness of the utilization of natural foods by carp [(Cyprinus carpio (L)] larvae. J. Ichthyol. 12: 812–818.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fossum, P. 1983. Digestion rate of food particles in the gut of larval herring. Fiskeridir Skr. Ser. Havunders. 17: 347–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukusho, K. 1972. Organogenesis of digestive system in the mullet, Liza haematocheila, with special reference to gizzard. Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 19: 283–294 (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, M.L.G. 1984. Intestinal assimilation of intact peptides and proteins from the diet — a neglected field? Biol. Rev. 59: 289–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier, G.F. & S.C. Landis. 1972. The relationship of ultrastructural and cytochemical features to absorptive activity in the goldfish intestine. Anat. Rec. 172: 675–702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govoni, J.J. 1980. Morphological, histological, and functional aspects of alimentary canal and associated organ development in larval Leiostomus xanthurus. Rev. Can. Biol. 39: 69–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govoni, J.J. 1984. Histology. pp. 40–42. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.) Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes, Amer. Soc. Ichthyol. Herpetol. Spec. Publ. 1, Lawrence.

  • Govoni, J.J., D.S. Peters & J.V. Merriner. 1982. Carbon assimilation during the larval development of the marine teleost Leiostomus xanthurus Lacépède. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 64: 287–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higuchi, S., M. Suga, A.M. Wannenberg & B.H. Schofield. 1979. Histochemical demonstration of enzyme activities in plastic and paraffin embedded tissue sections. Stain Technol. 54: 5–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjelmeland, K. 1983. Proteinase inhibitors in the muscle and serum of cod (Gadus morhua). Isolation and characterization. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. Comp. Biochem. 76: 365–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjelmeland, K., I. Huse, T. Jorgensen, G. Molvik & J. Raa. 1983. Trypsin and trypsinogen as indices of growth and survival potential of cod (Gadus morhua L.) larvae. Flodevigen Rapp. 3: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoagman, W.J. 1974. Vital activity parameters as related to the early life history of larval and post-larval lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). pp. 547–558. In: J.H.S. Blaxter(ed.) The Early Life History of Fish, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E.D. & R.C. Schekter. 1980. Feeding by marine fish larvae: developmental and functional responses. Env. Biol. Fish. 5: 315–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E.D. & R.C. Schekter. 1983. Oxygen uptake and comparative energetics among eggs and larvae of three subtropical marine fishes. Mar. Biol. 72: 283–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, G.M. 1984. Measurement of gill area in fishes: practices and problems. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 64: 637–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulet, W.H. 1978. Structure and functional development of the eel leptocephalus Ariosoma balearicum (De La Roche,1809). Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. Biol. Sci 282: 107–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J.R. 1977. Behavior and survival of northern anchovy Engraulis mordax larvae. Calif. Coop. Oceanic Fish. Invest. Rep. 19: 138–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J.R. 1981. Feeding ecology and predation of marine fish larvae. pp. 34–77. In: R. Lasker(ed.) Marine Fish Larvae: Morphology, Ecology, and Relation to Fisheries, Washington Sea Grant Program, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J.R. & C.A. Kimbrell. 1980. Early life history of Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus. U.S. Fish. Bull. 78: 89–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda, A. 1959. Embryological and histochemical studies on the development of the digestive system in a teleost fish, Oryzias latipes. Hiroshima J. Med. Sci. 8: 71–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. 1964. Feeding and ciliary conveying mechanisms in larvae of salmonid fish Plecoglossus altivelis Temminck et Schlegel. Physiol. Ecol. Jpn. 12: 38–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. 1967a. The comparative study of the digestive tract of teleost larvae — I. Fine structure of the gut epithelium in larvae of Ayu. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 33: 489–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. 1967b. The comparative study of the digestive tract of teleost larvae — II. Ciliated cells of the gut epithelium of pond smelt larvae. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 33: 1116–1119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. 1968a. The comparative study of the digestive tract of teleost larvae — V. Fat absorption in the gut epithelium of goldfish larvae. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 34: 973–978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. 1968b. Fine structure and absorption patterns of intestinal epithelial cells in rainbow trout alevins. Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 91: 366–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. 1969. Fine structure of gut epithelial cells of larval and juvenile carp during absorption of fat and protein. Arch. Histol. Jpn. 30: 183–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. & M. Tanaka. 1968a. The comparative study of the digestive tract of teleost larvae — III. Epithelial cells in the posterior gut of halfbeak larvae. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 34: 44–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. & M. Tanaka. 1968b. The comparative study of the digestive tract of teleost larvae — IV. Absorption of fat by the gut of halfbeak larvae. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 34: 871–875.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwai, T. & H. Rosenthal. 1981. Ciliary movements in guts of early clupeoid and salangid larvae. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser 4: 365–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannes, R.E. & M. Satomi. 1967. Measuring organic matter retained by aquatic invertebrates. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 24: 2467–2471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor, B.G., H. Smit & I.A. Verighina. 1975. The alimentary canal and digestion in teleosts. Adv. Mar. Biol. 13: 109–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawai, S. & S. Ikeda. 1973a. Studies on digestive enzymes of fishes — III. Development of the digestive enzymes of rainbow trout after hatching and the effect of dietary change on the activities of digestive enzymes in the juvenile stage. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 39: 819–823.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawai, S. & S. Ikeda. 1973b. Studies on digestive enzymes of fishes — IV. Development of the digestive enzymes of carp and black sea bream after hatching. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 39: 877–881.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, A. W., E.H. Ahlstrom & H.G. Moser. 1984. Early life history stages of fishes and their characters. pp. 11–24. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes, Amer. Soc. Ichthyol. Herpetol. Spec. Publ. 1, Lawrence.

  • Kjelson, M.A. & G.M. Johnson. 1976. Further observations on the feeding ecology of postlarval pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, and spot, Leiostomus xanthurus. U.S. Fish. Bull. 74: 423–432.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostomarova, A.A. 1962. Effect of starvation on the development of the larvae of bony fishes. Tr. Inst. Morfol. Zhivotn. Severtsova Akad. Nauk. SSSR 40: 4–77 (In Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurata, H. 1959. Preliminary report on the rearing of the herring larvae. Bull. Hokkaido Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 20: 117–138. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauff, M. & R. Hofer. 1984. Proteolytic enzymes in fish development and the importance of dietary enzymes. Aquaculture 37: 335–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G.C. 1971. Digestion rate of larval largemouth bass. N.Y. Fish. Game J. 18: 52–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G.C. 1977. A bioenergetic model for the analysis of feeding and survival potential of winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, larvae during the period from hatching to metamorphosis. U.S. Fish. Bull 75: 529–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mironova, N.V. 1974. The energy balance of Tilapia mossambica. J. Ichthyol. 14: 431–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moser, H.G. 1981. Morphological and functional aspects of marine fish larvae. pp. 90–131. In: R. Lasker(ed.) Marine Fish Larvae: Morphology, Ecology, and Relation to Fisheries, Washington Sea Grant Program, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noaillac-Depeyre, J. & N. Gas. 1974. Fat absorption by enterocytes of the carp. Cell Tissue Res. 155: 353–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noaillac-Depeyre, J. & N. Gas. 1976. Electron microscopic study on gut epithelium of the tench (Tinca tinca L.) with respect to its absorptive functions. Tissue Cell 8: 511–530.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connell, C.P. 1976. Histological criteria for diagnosing the starving condition in early post yolk sac larvae of the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax Girard. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 25: 285–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connell, C.P. 1981. Development of organ systems in the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax, and other teleosts. Amer. Zool. 21: 429–446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oppenheimer, J.M. 1937. The normal stages of Fundulus heteroclitus. Anat. Rec. 68: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, B.H. 1984. The intestinal evacuation rates of larval herring (Clupea harengus L.) predating on wild plankton. Dana Rep. 3: 321–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prakash, A. 1961. Distribution and differentiation of alkaline phosphatase in the gastro-intestinal tract of steelhead trout. J. Exp. Zool. 146: 237–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reifel, C.W. & A.A. Travill. 1977. Structure and carbohydrate histochemistry of the esophagus in ten teleostean species. J. Morphol. 152: 303–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reifel, C.W. & A.A. Travill. 1978. Structure and carbohydrate histochemistry of the stomach in eight species of teleosts. J. Morphol. 158: 155–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reifel, R.W. & A.A. Travill. 1979. Structure and carbohydrate histochemistry of the intestine in ten teleostean species. J. Morphol. 162: 343–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, W.J. & G.R. Dove. 1971. Internal development of young tunas of the genera Katsuwonus, Euthynnus, Auxis, and Thunnus (Pisces, Scombridae). Copeia 1971: 72–78.

  • Roberts, R.J., M. Bell & H. Young. 1973. Studies on the skin of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.). II. The development of larval plaice skin. J. Fish Biol. 5: 103–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, H. & G. Hempel. 1970. Experimental studies in feeding and food requirements of herring larvae (Clupea harengus L.). pp. 344–364. In: J.H. Steele(ed.) Marine Food Chains, University of California Press, Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryer, C.H. & G.W. Boehlert. 1983. Feeding chronology, daily ration, and the effects of temperature upon gastric evacuation in the pipefish, Syngnathus fuscus. Env. Biol. Fish. 9: 301–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D.G. 1984. Elopiformes, notacanthiformes, and anguilliformes: relationships. pp. 94–102. In: H.G. Moser, W.J. Richards, D.M. Cohen, M.P. Fahay, A.W. Kendall & S.L. Richardson (ed.) Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes, Amer. Soc. Ichthyol. Herpetol. Spec. Publ. 1, Lawrence.

  • Sorokin, Ju. I. 1966. Carbon-14 method in the study of the nutrition of aquatic animals. Int. Rev. Gesamten Hydrobiol. 51: 209–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorokin, Ju. I. & D.A. Panov. 1966. The use of C14 for the quantitative study of the nutrition of fish larvae. Int. Rev. Gesamten Hydrobiol. 51: 743–756.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroband, H.W.J. 1977. Growth and diet dependent structural adaptations of the digestive tract in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Val.). J. Fish Biol. 11: 167–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroband, H.W.J. & F.M.H. Debets. 1978. The ultrastructure and renewal of the intestinal epithelium of the juvenile grasscarp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.). Cell Tissue Res. 187: 181–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroband, H.W.J., H.v.d. Meer & L.P.M. Timmermans. 1979. Regional functional differentiation in the gut of the grasscarp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.). Histochemistry 64: 235–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroband, H.W.J. & K.R. Dbrowski. 1979. Morphological and physiological aspects of the digestive system and feeding in freshwater fish larvae. pp. 355–376. In: M. Fontaine(ed.) La Nutrition des Poisons, CNERNA, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroband, H.W.J. & A.G. Kroon. 1981. The development of the stomach in Clarias lazera and the intestinal absortion of protein macromolecules. Cell Tissue Res. 215: 397–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroband, H.W.J. & F.H. v.d. Veen. 1981. Localization of protein absorption during transport of food in the intestine of the grasscarp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.). J. Exp. Zool. 218: 149–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szlaminska, M. 1980. A histochemical study of digestive enzymes in pike larvae. Fish. Manage. 11: 139–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M. 1969a. Studies on the structure and function of the digestive system of teleost larvae — I. Development of the digestive system during prelarval stage. Jap. J. Ichthyol. 16: 1–9 (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M. 1969b. Studies on the structure and functions of the digestive systems in teleost larvae – II. Characteristics of the digestive system in larvae at the stage of first feeding. Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 16: 41–49. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M. 1971. Studies on the structure and function of the digestive system in teleost larvae — III. Development of the digestive system during post larval stage. Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 18: 164–174. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M. 1972a. Studies on the structure and function of the digestive system in teleost larvae — IV. Changes in the epithelium related to fat absorption in the anteriomedium part of the intestine after feeding. Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 19: 15–25. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M. 1972b. Studies on the structure and function of the digestive system in teleost larvae — V. Epithelial changes in the posterior gut and protein ingestion. Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 19: 172–180. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, M., S. Kawai & S. Yamamoto. 1972. On the development of the digestive system and changes in activities of digestive enzymes during larval and juvenile stage in Ayu. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 38: 1143–1152. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Theilacker, G.H. 1978. Effect of starvation on the histological and morphological characteristics of jack mackerel, Trachurus symmetricus, larvae. U.S. Fish. Bull. 76 403–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twongo, T.K. & H.R. MacCrimmon. 1977. Histogenesis of the oropharyngeal and oesophageal mucosa as related to early feeding in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Can. J. Zool. 55: 116–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugolev, A.M. 1965. Membrane (contact) digestion. Physiol. Rev. 45: 555–595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Umeda, S. & A. Ochiai. 1973. On the development of the structure and function of the alimentary tract of the yellowtail from the larval to the juvenile stage. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 39: 923–930. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Umeda, S. & A. Ochiai. 1975. On the histological structure and function of digestive, organs of the fed and starved larvae of the yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata. Jpn. J. Ichthyol. 21: 213–219. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Veith, W.J. 1980. Viviparity and embryonic adaptations in the teleost Clinus superciliosus. Can. J. Zool. 58: 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vu, T.T. 1976. Étude du développement du tube digestif des larves de bar Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). Arch. Zool. Exp. Gén. 117: 493–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vu, T.T. 1983. Étude histoenzymologique des activities proteasiques dans le tube digestif des larves et des adultes de bar, Dicentrarchus labrax (L). Aquaculture 32: 57–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ware, D.M. 1975. Growth, metabolism, and optimal swimming speed of a pelagic fish. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 32: 33–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1981. Ingestion of horseradish peroxidase by the intestinal cells in larvae or juveniles of some teleosts. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 47: 1299–1307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1982a. Intracellular digestion of horseradish peroxidase by the intestinal cells of teleost larvae and juveniles. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 48: 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1982b. Ultrastructure of epithelial cells of the anteromedian intestine and the rectum in larval and juvenile teleosts. Bull. Fac. Fish. Hokkaido Univ. 33: 217–228. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1984a. An ultrastructural study of intracellular digestion of horseradish peroxidase by the rectal epithelium cells in larvae of a freshwater cottid fish Cottus nozawae. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 50: 409–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1984b. Morphological and functional changes in rectal epithelium cells of pond smelt during postembryonic development. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 50: 805–814.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1984c. Postembryonic development of intestinal epithelium of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). Bull. Tohoku Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 46: 1–14. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. 1984d. Digestion and absorption in fish larvae. Aquabiology 6: 191–197. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, Y. & N. Sawada. 1985. Larval development of digestive organs and intestinal absorptive functions in the freshwater goby Chaenogobius annularis. Bull. Tohoku Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 47: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, R.G. & J.H.S. Blaxter. 1980. Growth and survival of larval herring (Clupea harengus) in relation to prey density. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 37: 1063–1069.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinberg, S. 1976. Morphology of the intestine of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Bijdr. Dierk. 46: 35–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winberg, G.G. 1956. Rate of metabolism and food requirements of fishes. Fish. Res. Board Can. Transl. Ser. 194. 234 pp.

  • Wourms, J.P. & D. Cohen. 1975. Trophotaeniae, embryonic adaptations in the viviparous ophidioid fish, Oligopus longhursti: A study of museum specimens. J. Morphol. 147: 385–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada, J. 1968. A study on the structure of surface cell layers in the epidermis of some teleosts. Annot. Zool. Jpn. 41: 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, T. 1966. An electron microscope study of the columnar epithelial cell in the intestine of fresh water teleosts: goldfish (Carassius auratus) and rainbow trout (Salmo irideus). Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 72: 66–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, T. 1982. Ultrastructural basis of intestinal absorption. Arch. Histol. Jpn 45: 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Southeast Fisheries Center, Beaufort Laboratory, Beaufort, NC, 28516, USA

    John J. Govoni

  2. National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAH, Southwest Fisheries Center, Honolulu Laboratory, Honolulu, HI, 96812, USA

    George W. Boehlert

  3. Tohoku Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory, Shiogama, Miyagi, 985, Japan

    Yoshirou Watanabe

Authors
  1. John J. Govoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. George W. Boehlert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yoshirou Watanabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Govoni, J.J., Boehlert, G.W. & Watanabe, Y. The physiology of digestion in fish larvae. Environ Biol Fish 16, 59–77 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005160

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005160

Keywords

Search

Navigation