Triploidisation of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), first success

The use of triploid fish in intensive aquaculture can lead to higher filet yield, faster growth and higher profit. To induce triploidy in pikeperch, fertilized eggs incubated at 15°C were immersed in a water bath at shock temperatures (ST) of 29°C (Exp. 1) and 31°C (Exp. 2) at shock initiation times (TI) of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10min after egg and spermatozoa activation for 20 and 40min. Ploidy levels of hatched larvae were determined by flow cytometry. Shock temperature of 29°C led to low hatching rates (0–11.5%) and low rates of triploidy (0–75%). With ST of 31°C, 100% triploidy was obtained with TI of 1min and duration of 20 and 40min and at TI of 5min for 20min. A shock temperature of 31°C was associated with 0.9–74.1% malformed larvae compared to 0–3.3% at ST of 29°C. The most important finding of this study is that heat shock treatment can produce all-triploid pikeperch population. However, further research is required to determine a method of production of all-triploid pikeperch population at higher hatching rates. •Heat shock treatment can induce triploid pikeperch.•100% triploid rate can be induced by heat shock of 31°C initiated 1 or 5min post fertilisation for 20min.•Shock temperature of 29°C leads to low hatching and triploidisation rate.