Abstract:Using ecological experimental methods, the effects of starvation on the behavior and morphological features, and the effects of substrate type and different temperatures on starvation tolerance in newly hatched juveniles were evaluated. The results showed that starvation exerted a significant negative effect on the morphological features, behavior, and activities of juveniles, and all of them died on day 12 of starvation. At a water temperature of 25℃, the the point of no-return time (PNR) of the juveniles in the fine sand, no particulate substrate, and sand-mud groups was 7.5 d, 8 d, and 9.5 d respectively, and the accumulated death rate for the first 7 d was marginally different between different substrate groups. However, after 10 d of starvation, the highest death rate was found in the fine sand group and the lowest was found in the sand-mud group. Simultaneously, the weight loss of juvenile in the three groups was 7.72%±2.80%, 6.95%±2.64%, and 5.30%±2.41%, respectively. When there were no particulate substrates, the accumulated death rate of the 28℃ group was significantly higher than that of the 25℃ and 22℃ groups (<0.05), and the PNR was 7 d, 8 d, and 9.5 d, respectively. After a 10-d starvation period, the weight of the juvenile in the three groups decreased at a rate of 8.90%±1.65%, 6.95%±2.64% and 5.79%±3.54%, respectively, but there were no significant differences in the weight loss between the three groups. The results showed that the sand-mud group with smaller sediment particle size had a positive effect on starvation alleviation in juveniles, but the fine sand group did not. In the temperature range of 22-28℃, the PNR would occur earlier with the increase in water temperature.