Abstract: The effects of the first feeding timing on the growth and survival of artificially breeding Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii larvae at the age of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 days were examined at 174 ℃ under laboratory conditions. The larvae started first feeding at the age of 9〖KG-*2〗-〖KG-*7〗10 days; while before this age, feeding did not provide any advantage. Up to two days delay of the first feeding affected the growth and survival of larvae significantly. The survival rate of the larvae was significant lower when the first feeding timing was at the age of 18 days than at the age of 6〖KG-*2〗-〖KG-*7〗16 days, and no larvae could survive when the first feeding timing was at the age of 24 days. The larvae achieved the point of no return (PNR) at the age of 23〖KG-*2〗-〖KG-*7〗24 days when the exogenous feeding could not be set. Under artificial breeding conditions, feeding larvae should be started within 14 days after the first feeding timing to avoid the potential starvation mortality and get better growth.

Key words: Hepatacodium miconioides, Natural population, Genetic diversity, Genetic differentiation, RAPD