Quantitative Splanchnological Study of Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) Reared in a Recirculating Aquaculture System
Keywords:
internal organs, intensive rearing, quantitative splanchnology, RASAbstract
Natural populations of sturgeons have dramatically declined in recent decades due to anthropogenic pressures such as overfishing, habitat degradation and pollution. Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is a species of particular interest due to its high-quality meat, economic value and remarkable ability to adapt to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). This study aimed to describe the anatomical and morphological characteristics of the internal organs of 1.5-year-old sterlet specimens reared in intensive indoor systems, using specific quantitative splanchnological methods. The anatomical examination revealed an abdominal cavity with reduced perivisceral fat and a simple digestive tract composed of a short esophagus, a well-developed stomach, and a middle and posterior intestine. The latter was provided with a spiral septum on the inner surface. At the junction between the stomach and the intestine, pyloric ceca were grouped into a spongy-like structure. The liver displayed a clearly lobed structure. The pancreas, with a diffuse structure, was difficult to delimit macroscopically from a morphometric point of view. The gonads, at an early stage of development, were well individualized and covered by a thin layer of fat. The biometric analysis revealed uniform body development and a good physiological condition, typical of fish reared under controlled environmental parameters, confirming their efficient adaptation to intensive rearing conditions. The measurements revealed an average total length of 59.0 ± 0.4 cm and a mean body mass of 862.6 ± 24.9 g. The Fulton condition factor (K = 0.82) confirmed the overall healthy state of the specimens and their harmonious body growth. The digestive tract showed a mean stomach length of 13.1 ± 0.9 cm, an intestinal length of 22.9 ± 0.9 cm and a liver mass of 24.0 ± 1.0 g, indicating proportional organ development and a good nutritional status. The results highlight a normal morphological development and good physiological adaptation of Acipenser ruthenus to the conditions of recirculating aquaculture systems, confirming the strong biological, adaptive, and economic potential of this species in intensive aquaculture. The quantitative splanchnological data obtained in this study contribute to a better understanding of the internal morphology of the sterlet and represent a useful foundation for future research on growth physiology and aquaculture improvement in sturgeon species.
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