• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.272-278
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• 2008

Optimum concentration of alizarine complexone (ALC) for staining of otoliths for Pacific cod was determined by examination of stained quality, growth and survival rates. Small juveniles ($34.1{\pm}1.8mm$ TL, $mean{\pm}SD$) were immersed in four different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 mg/L) and large ones ($73.8{\pm}1.2mm$ TL, $mean{\pm}SD$) in five different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/L) of ALC for 24 hrs. The fish were then reared and observed for 14 days. The stained quality of otoliths was evaluated by dividing them into four grades by the presence of fluorescent stains on the otoliths under G-excited UV light. The small juveniles stained with the different ALC concentrations had 100% staining success, and their growth rate and body weight did not differ significantly between treatments. Optimal ALC concentration for the smaller juveniles was 20 mg/L in the present experiment. On the other hand, distinct fluorescent rings were confirmed on otoliths of larger juveniles in the 10 mg/L treatment with high survival rate. These results suggest that ALC staining at concentrations of 10 mg/L with larger juveniles will be helpful for release-recapture experiments for stock enhancement of Pacific cod.