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Abstract: In this study, two different dietary protein levels were tested (500 and 600 g/kg) in meagre juveniles of approximately 2 g, to determine whether a higher body protein diet would favour muscle growth. Results showed that meagre survival and growth were not affected by different levels of dietary protein. However, a higher content of protein was observed in the body composition of meagre fed the P60 diet (656 g/kg versus 624 g/kg). When fish were 82 days after hatched (DAH), protein retention efficiency was significantly higher in fish that were fed the P50 diet (37.1% versus 32.5%). Muscle cellularity changed considerably from the beginning to the end of the trial. The contribution of fibre hyperplasia to muscle growth was reduced although still accounted for 30% in 96 DAH meagre. Several differences were found in the frequency of fibres with areas between 1,000 μm2 and 2,200 μm2 between younger and older meagre, but no effect was found associated with dietary protein. This study suggests that neither growth nor muscle cellularity of fast‐growing juvenile meagre is positively affected by an increased dietary protein levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Formulation of diets according to fish amino acid (AA) qualitative requirements may improve fish growth. Two diets with different AA profiles were tested on 16‐day‐old meagre during 20 days. The first diet had an AA profile closer to meagre larval AA requirements (BAL), whereas the second had a different AA profile (UNBAL). Results showed that larvae fed the diet with higher similarities to the AA profile of meagre carcass had a higher final weight (19.8 ± 0.5 mg versus 13.4 ± 1.8 mg) and lower ammonia excretion after being fed (0.6 ± 0.1 ml/(g DW. larvae. h) and 0.8 ± 0.1 ml/(g DW larvae. h)). A higher mean fibre area was obtained in 36 DAH larvae fed the BAL diet (224.8 ± 33.3 μm2 versus 158.8 ± 34.5 μm2) as well as higher larval weight. When fibre area distribution was analysed, a higher frequency of larger fibres was observed in 36 DAH BAL larvae, suggesting that fibre hypertrophy had a higher importance in this treatment. In conclusion, this study shows that meagre larvae fed a diet with an AA profile closer to their requirements had lower nitrogen losses and higher final weight, as result of higher muscle hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of short‐chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on growth performance, hepatic metabolism, gut microbiota and digestive enzymes activities of white sea bream juveniles. Four diets were formulated: a control diet with fish meal (FM) and plant feedstuffs (PF) (30FM:70PF) and three test diets similar to control but supplemented with 10 g of scFOS, XOS or GOS per kilo diet, which were fed to fish during 12 weeks. Prebiotics had no effect on growth, feed efficiency or gut microbiota. Plasmatic triglycerides were lower in fish fed XOS than FOS and GOS diets. Malic enzyme activity was lower in fish fed XOS than FOS diet. Fish fed XOS diet had lower fatty acid synthetase (FAS), a key lipogenic enzyme and higher alanine aminotransferase activities. Fifteen days after the start of the trial, an enhancement of total alkaline protease, trypsin and lipase activities was observed in fish fed prebiotics, but such effect disappeared at 12 weeks. In conclusion, scFOS, XOS or GOS seem to have limited applicability in white sea bream feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyloodiniosis represents a major bottleneck for semi-intensive aquaculture production in Southern Europe, causing extremely high mortalities. Amyloodinium ocellatum is a parasitic dinoflagellate that can infest almost all fish, crustacean and bivalves that live within its ecological range. Fish mortalities are usually attributed to anoxia, associated with serious gill hyperplasia, inflammation, haemorrhage and necrosis in heavy infestations; or with osmoregulatory impairment and secondary microbial infections due to severe epithelial damage in mild infestation. However, physiological information about the host responses to A. ocellatum infestation is scarce. In this work, we analysed the proteome of gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata) plasma and relate it with haematological and immunological indicators, in order to enlighten the different physiological responses when exposed to an A. ocellatum outbreak. Using 2D- DIGE, immunological and haematological analysis and in response to the A. ocellatum contamination we have identified several proteins associated with acute-phase response, inflammation, lipid transport, homoeostasis, and osmoregulation, wound healing, neoplasia and iron transport. Overall, this preliminary study revealed that amyloodiniosis affects some fish functional pathways as revealed by the changes in the plasma proteome of S. aurata, and that the innate immunological system is not activated in the presence of the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control of the reproductive cycle is essential to achieve a successful aquaculture industry. Seahorse reared in captivity often shows eggs of poor quality and low offspring survival due to unsuitable rearing and nutritional protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary enrichment, added exclusively during the spawning season, on the egg quality of Hippocampus hippocampus. The effect of enriching mysis throughout the spawning season was analysed in terms of female fecundity, egg viability, egg size and fatty acid profile. The results showed that fecundity was not affected by the enrichment of the diet, but egg viability was increased when females were fed the enriched mysis (84.9 ± 4.1% compared to 62.2 ± 9.4%). Moreover, the content of several PUFA (20:4n-6, 18:2n-6, 22:5n-3, 22:5n-6, sum of n-6) decreased throughout the spawning season, especially in the last clutch, in eggs originated from females fed non-enriched mysis. Eggs from females fed the enriched diet maintained the fatty acid profile throughout the spawning season. In conclusion, enrichment of the diet of H. hippocampus improved egg viability and avoided a decrease in the quality of eggs by maintaining PUFA content in the last clutches of the spawning season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 14 weeks growth trial was performed to estimate the protein requirement for growth and maintenance of zebra sea bream ( Diplodus cervinus) juveniles. For that purpose, nine isolipidic diets were formulated to contain increasing protein levels (from 50 to 550 g kg−1) at the expense of carbohydrate. Each diet was assigned to duplicate groups of 20 fish, with an average body weight of 7.7 g. Feed efficiency improved with dietary protein up to 400 g kg−1, no further differences being noticed at higher protein levels. Fish fed the 50 g kg−1 protein diet lost weight during the trial. In the other groups, weight gain improved as dietary protein increased up to 350-400 g kg−1. Fish fed diets with 250 g kg−1 protein or lower had lower whole-body protein content than the other groups. A curvilinear-plateau model was used to adjust weight gain and protein gain (g kg ABW−1 day−1) to dietary protein levels. Based on that model, the optimum dietary protein requirement for maximum weight gain was estimated to be 437.6 g kg−1 and for maximum protein gain 461.9 g kg−1, corresponding to a protein intake of 7.63 g kg ABW−1 day−1. Protein requirement for maintenance was estimated to be 1.01 g kg ABW−1 day−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the effect of feeding frequency on the utilization of dietary starch by white sea bream juveniles, triplicate groups of fish were fed an experimental diet (400 g kg−1 protein, 140 g kg−1 lipids and 350 g kg−1 pregelatinized maize starch) to apparent visual satiation 2, 3 or 4 times a day for 63 days. Growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, glycaemia, cholesterolaemia, plasma triacylglycerides, liver lipids and glycogen content were unaffected by feeding frequency. α-Amylase activity increased from the pyloric caeca to the posterior intestine and was higher in fish fed twice a day than in fish fed 3 or 4 times a day. Hepatic glucokinase ( GK) activity decreased with the increase in feeding frequencies, whereas fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase ( FBPase) activity increased. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were unaffected by feeding frequency. Overall, feeding frequency did not improve white sea bream dietary starch utilization. α-Amylase, GK and FBPase activities responded to dietary starch consumed at each meal, denoting a good metabolic adaptation of the fish to the feeding conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro-anatomical changes associated with lordotic and kyphotic vertebral curvatures ( VC) in juvenile and adult Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis are described. In addition, it is demonstrated that the tissue and cellular structures of individual vertebrae can be severely affected. Two main conformations were found in deformed juvenile specimens: flattened vertebrae with dorso-ventral compression and trapezoidal vertebrae forming concave and convex sides under compressive and tensile stresses. Histological analyses revealed the occurrence of an ectopic cartilaginous tissue within the acellular bone, both in juveniles and adults, possibly to cope with altered mechanical stress in deformed vertebrae. The results suggest that the alteration in loading to which curved vertebral columns are subjected might trigger vertebral reshaping and differentiation of cells towards this ectopic tissue. In addition, mesenchymal cells appear to play an important role in its formation. It is here proposed that the acellular bone of S. senegalensis is capable of adaptively responding to altered loading regimes at the structural level by reshaping vertebrae and at the micro-anatomical level by recruiting chondrocyte-like cells to areas of altered mechanical stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavioural effects of confinement of sardine Sardina pilchardus in a purse seine were evaluated through three laboratory experiments simulating the final stages of purse seining; the process of slipping (deliberately allowing fishes to escape) and subsequent exposure to potential predators. Effects of holding time (the time S. pilchardus were held or entangled in the simulation apparatus) and S. pilchardus density were investigated. Experiment 1 compared the effect of a mild fishing stressor (20 min in the net and low S. pilchardus density) with a control (fishing not simulated) while the second and third experiments compared the mild stressor with a severe stressor (40 min in the net and high S. pilchardus density). In all cases, sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax were used as potential predators. Results indicated a significant effect of crowding time and density on the survival and behaviour of slipped S. pilchardus. After simulated fishing, S. pilchardus showed significant behavioural changes including lower swimming speed, closer approaches to predators and higher nearest-neighbour distances (wider school area) than controls, regardless of stressor severity. These results suggest that, in addition to the delayed and unobserved mortality caused by factors related to fishing operations, slipped pelagic fishes can suffer behavioural impairments that may increase vulnerability to predation. Possible sub-lethal effects of behavioural impairment on fitness are discussed, with suggestions on how stock assessment might be modified to account for both unobserved mortality and sub-lethal effects, and possible approaches to provide better estimates of unobserved mortality in the field are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larval development of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus up to the benthic juvenile stage is described in detail to establish a reference for their larval identification. Development is described in terms of ontogenetic changes in morphology, growth, pigmentation, fin structure and skeletal structure. Larvae were reared in mesocosms at a mean temperature of 24·3° C, salinity of 36·5, dissolved oxygen of 6·4 mg l−1 and pH of 8·2. Newly hatched larvae had an estimated total length ( LT) of 2·3 mm. On the second day post hatching the yolk was almost fully absorbed with traces of the oil globule still present, the eyes were already pigmented and mouth and gut functional. At this stage the cranial skeletal elements for feeding and breathing (mouth and gills) and the pectoral-fin support were already present. About 50% of the observed larvae had food in their guts. Pigmentation was very characteristic, consisting of two large chromatophores visible on the edge of the primordial fin, close to the midpoint of the post-anal region of the body and over the midgut and hindgut and post-anal portion of the body. At 2·9 mm LT the emergence of the second dorsal-fin spine, characteristic of the Epinephilinae, was clearly visible. The pre-flexion stage started in larva of 3·2 mm LT. At 5·5 mm LT the larvae possessed posterior preopercular angle spines, and the dorsal and pelvic spines presented serrated edges and were pigmented. The water surface-tension-related death of the yolk sac and pre-flexion larvae described in the rearing of several other grouper species did not occur during E. marginatus culture. Notochord flexion, with initial ossification of the caudal-fin supporting elements, started at 6·6 mm LT. At this stage the major melanophores, preopercular, dorsal and pelvic spines and mandibular teeth were already present. Transformation of larvae into juveniles occurred when larvae averaged 13·8 mm LT. Juveniles with a mean LT of 20·1 mm started to settle and most of them were benthic with a mean LT of 26·8 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of dietary protein hydrolysates (PH) on larval growth performance, skeleton quality and proteome expression, triplicate groups of white seabream ( Diplodus sargus) larvae were co-fed from first-feeding with live feed and three microencapsulated diets differing in the molecular weight of their PH fraction (Control - inclusion of CPSP-90; H - inclusion of a high amount in 0.5-30 kDa hydrolysates; L - inclusion of a high amount in <0.5 kDa hydrolysates). At 15 days after hatching (DAH), proteome expression changes were assessed in entire larvae by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and the quality of larval skeleton was analysed at 28 DAH through double staining of cartilage and bone. Dietary PH fractions tested affected growth, the larvae fed diet L being significantly larger than those fed diet H, but it did not affect the incidence of deformed larvae, nor the number of deformities per fish. Two-dimensional analysis of larvae proteome allowed the detection and the comparative quantification of a total of 709 protein spots having a pI between 4 and 7, around half of which had an expression significantly affected by dietary treatment, the main difference being between proteome of Control larvae with those of both groups L and H. From these spots, 52 proteins involved in diverse processes such as cytoskeletal dynamics, energetic, lipoprotein, amino acid (AA), and nucleotide metabolisms, protein chaperoning and degradation, and signal transduction, were identified. This study revealed that the molecular weight of the dietary protein hydrolysate fraction had a minor impact on skeletal deformities in white seabream larvae, but affected growth performance and had a strong impact on larvae whole body proteome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meagre ( Argyrosomus regius) is a new species for aquaculture diversification, presenting a high economic value and a high growth rate, reaching 1 kg year−1. The occurrence of deformities, which generally appear in cultured larvae at early stages, is problematic for aquaculture since they reduce fish fitness and profitability. Knowledge about the stages of skeletal formation is essential to accurately assess deformities in hatchery produced fish. Here, we describe the osteology of the axial skeleton and unpaired fins of the meagre. Based on this data, the osteological development of meagre larvae reared at the IPIMAR and IRTA-SCR, under different rearing conditions, was compared. Although little literature is available on the osteology of teleosts from the same taxonomic group, the skeletal composition of the meagre is comparable to that of other Sciaenidae. All skeletal structures considered appeared at earlier stages in larvae reared at IPIMAR, which presented a more advanced skeletal development in comparison to larvae of comparable length reared at IRTA-SCR that were submitted to lower temperature and light intensity, and reduced photoperiod regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lordosis and kyphosis are curvatures of the vertebral column that commonly affect Senegalese sole ( Solea senegalensis) under intensive rearing conditions, constituting a problem for the aquaculture industry by increasing labor and operation costs and consequently reducing profits. However, no studies have yet addressed microanatomical changes in vertebral column curvature in this species. We have conducted histological analyses in order to determine the alterations at tissue and cellular levels in these deformities. Development of an ectopic cartilage-like tissue within bone matrix at the growth regions (contact area between two vertebrae) of affected vertebrae was observed in lordotic-kyphotic fish. As previously suggested, the increase in strain supported by deformed vertebrae may trigger the onset of metaplastic tissue formation through an osteochondroprogenitor precursor from the condensation of mesenchymal cells or by trans-differentiation of (pre-)osteoblastic cells to a chondrocytic lineage. The possibility of a notochord contribution, as well as the molecular events related to bone stress and bone types in terms of cellularity, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish larvae present high amino acid requirements due to their high growth rate. Maximizing this growth rate depends on providing a balanced amino acid diet which can fulfil larval amino acid nutritional needs. In this study, two experimental microencapsulated casein diets were tested: one presenting a balanced amino acid profile and another presenting an unbalanced amino acid profile. A control diet, live feed based, was also tested. Trials were performed with larvae from 1 to 25 days after hatching (DAH). Microencapsulated diets were introduced at 8 DAH in co-feeding with live feed and at 15 DAH larvae were fed the microencapsulated diets alone. Results showed a higher survival for the control group (8.6 ± 1.3% versus 4.2 ± 0.6% and 3.2 ± 1.8%) although dry weight and growth were similar in all treatments. The proportion of deformed larvae as well as the ammonia excretion was lower in the group fed a balanced diet than in the unbalanced or control groups (38.3% deformed larvae in control, 30% in larvae fed unbalanced diet and 20% on balanced diet group). Furthermore, larvae fed the microencapsulated diets presented higher docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid levels. This study demonstrates that dietary amino acid profile may play an important role in larval quality. It also shows that balanced microencapsulated diets may improve some of the performance criteria, such as skeletal deformities, compared to live feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A periodicity of 29 days was observed in spawning rhythms in Senegal sole Solea senegalensis, with an acrophase around the last quarter and the new moon. In both spring and autumn, a very marked nocturnal spawning rhythm was registered, with spawning beginning after dusk and the acrophase occurring around 2300 hours. When the photoperiod was artificially extended (from 10L:14D to 14L:10D), S. senegalensis synchronized to the new photoperiod: spawning took place after the new ‘dusk’, the beginning gradually shifting from 2100 to 2300 hours and the acrophase from 2325 to 0032 hours. Under continuous light conditions, fish sustained rhythmicity for 2 days, with an acrophase at 2249 hours, which suggested the existence of an endogenous pacemaker controlling the daily spawning rhythm. These findings provided new insights for better understanding the reproductive physiology of this species and for optimizing the timing protocols of egg collection and larvae production in S. senegalensis aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of various dietary protein levels on growth performance, whole body composition and nutrient utilization were studied in two-banded sea bream ( Diplodus vulgaris), a candidate species for aquaculture. Fish (initial weight 6.1 g) were fed to satiety six iso-energetic diets, containing 5%, 12.5%, 25%, 35%, 45% or 55% of crude protein during 72 days. Fish fed 35% and 45% protein attained better growth and feed utilization than the other groups ( P < 0.05). Daily growth index and feed conversion ratio were the poorest for fish fed 5% and 12.5% protein ( P < 0.001), while the 25% and 55% protein groups had intermediate performance. Lipid retention increased significantly from 13.7% to 30.1% ( P < 0.0001) and protein retention decreased from 35.5% to 21.3% ( P < 0.01) with increasing protein levels from 12.5% to 45%. Muscle protein, lipid and energy concentrations were not significantly affected by dietary protein level. The estimated protein requirement for maintenance and maximum growth of two-banded seabream growing from 6 to 20 g were 7.5% and 35.7%, respectively. Protein requirements as calculated from body protein gain were 2.3 and 6.5 g of protein intake per kilogram body weight per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trial was undertaken to estimate the protein requirement of white sea bream ( Diplodus sargus). Five fish meal-based diets were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (from 60 to 490 g kg−1). Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 25 fish with a mean individual body weight of 22 g. Fish fed the 60 g kg−1 protein diet lost weight during the trial, while growth improved in the other groups as dietary protein level increased up to 270–370 g kg−1. Feed efficiency improved as dietary protein level increased. Maximum protein efficiency ratio (PER) was observed with the 17% protein diet. N retention (NR) (% N intake) was not different among groups fed diets with 17% protein and above. Ammonia excretion (g kg−1ABW day−1) increased as dietary protein level increased, while no differences in urea excretion were noted. An exponential model was used to adjust specific growth rate and NR (g kg−1 day−1) to dietary protein level. Based on that model, dietary protein required for maximum retention was 330 g kg−1, while for maximum growth it was 270 g kg−1. On a wet weight basis, there were no differences in whole body composition of fish-fed diets with 170 g kg−1 protein and above, except for the protein content, which was lower in group fed the 170 g kg−1 protein diet than the 490 g kg−1 protein diet. Specific activities of hepatic amino acid catabolism enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) increased as dietary protein levels increased. There were no differences among groups in fatty acid synthetase and malyc enzyme but 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was significantly lower in fish fed the 60 g kg−1 protein diet than the 170 and 490 g kg−1 protein diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main factors that affect early survival, physical damage and stress reactions of sardine Sardina pilchardus after live capture and introduction to captivity were examined. A total of 2800 sardines were captured alive from commercial purse seiners in five trials off southern Portugal and monitored for 4 weeks in aquaculture tanks. Survival rates varied considerably between trials (from <20 to >80% after a month), with most deaths occurring in the first 5 days. Sardine early survival was affected by factors related to conditions at sea (catch composition, sea temperature and transportation density), during introduction to captivity (magnitude of thermal shock, land transportation duration and use of antibacterial treatment) and, possibly, their interaction. Physical damage was related to the probability of dying, with fish that died during the first week showing significantly higher scale loss and larger caudal fin erosion that those that were alive in the same period. For all stress variables measured (blood haematocrit, cortisol, glucose and ions in the plasma), the most extreme values were attained during introduction to captivity or in the first hours after. After 2 weeks in captivity, most variables had returned to levels close to those observed at the onset of purse-seine fishing, suggesting that maintenance conditions were adequate to permit a rapid recovery from fishing and transport stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor by R. Sa, P. Pousao-Ferreira and A. Oliva-Teles is presented discussing metabolic utilization of diets with proteins.

In this study, two growth trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and feed utilization of white sea bream ( Diplodus sargus) juveniles. For the first trial, five diets were formulated to contain 120 g kg−1 lipid and increasing levels of protein, ranging from 400 to 600 g kg−1. Two additional diets were formulated with 400 and 600 g kg−1 protein and 180 g kg−1 lipids. The diets were fed to apparent visual satiety to duplicate groups of fish with a mean weight of 1.5 g for 10 weeks. For the second growth trial, four diets were formulated to contain 120 g kg−1 lipid and 380–520 g kg−1 protein. Two additional diets were formulated with 380 and 520 g kg−1 protein and 180 g kg−1 lipids. The diets were fed to apparent visual satiety to triplicate groups of fish with a mean weight of 41 g for 12 weeks. At the end of both trials, there were no growth differences among groups independent of the dietary protein content. In the first trial, growth was negatively correlated to dietary lipid levels. No significant differences of feed intake were detected among groups in both trials, but a direct correlation between feed efficiency and dietary protein level was observed. Protein efficiency ratio and nitrogen (N) retention (% N intake) significantly decreased with the increase of dietary protein levels. In both trials, energy retention (% energy intake) was highest in groups fed on diets with the highest protein-to-energy (P/E) ratio. At the end of both trials, no significant differences in whole-body composition were observed among groups. Specific activity of enzymes involved in amino acid catabolism [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)] showed no significant differences with dietary protein level in both trials. Nevertheless, in the first trial, a significantly lower GDH activity was observed in fish fed with higher dietary lipid levels. No differences were found for specific activity of the lipogenic enzymes, fatty aid synthetase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, in the second trial. Results of this study indicate that a diet with a protein level of 380–420 g kg−1 and a P/E ratio of 20 g protein MJ−1 satisfies the growth requirements of D. sargus juveniles. Also, within the range tested, no evidence of protein sparing by dietary lipids seems to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L. is a sequential spawner whose reproductive cycle can be manipulated to obtain year-round egg and fry production. Hence, there is an overproduction of eggs in commercial hatcheries that is normally wasted. Two feeding experiments were conducted with the purpose of investigating the potential use of fresh and freeze-dried gilthead seabream eggs for the enrichment of live preys. The first experiment was also designed to study the possibility of using freeze-drying as a conservation process for eggs in excess. Larvae were reared for 20 days after hatching (DAH),on a diet of Brachionus sp. As experimental controls, the commercial enrichment emulsion SUPER HUFA was used in the first experiment, and the microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. in the second. This study demonstrated the potential of gilthead seabream eggs as an enrichment product to be used in the feeding of the first larval stages of Sparus aurata L. The data obtained emphasize the need to have an overall perspective of the nutritional requirements of the organisms in culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract:Several commercial oils of plant and animal origin were tested in order to improve the HUFA content and the DHA:EPA ratio of Artemia sp. metanauplii. The relationship between the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid series, and more recently, the DHA:EPA ratio seem to be indicators for better survival and growth of marine fish larvae. The tested plant oils were derived from linseed, peanut and sunflower, and the animal oils came from squid, sardine, cod liver and Selco emulsion. For each oil emulsion tested, four different enrichment periods (9, 24, 33 and 48 h) were evaluated in the same Artemia sp. strain (Artemia EG from Artemia Systems Inc., Baasrode, Belgium). The results show that oil emulsions of plant origin give very poor results in relation to either HUFA content or DHA:EPA ratio. All the oil emulsions from animal origin resulted in HUFA incorporation. Sardine oil was the poorest and squid oil the best. The HUFA content and the DHA:EPA ratio increased with enrichment periods up to 33 h, followed by a negligible variation up to the final 48 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the development of the swim bladder of cultured sparus aurata, better known as the red porgy. Materials and methods employed in the experiment of the fish; Presentation of the abnormalities of the fish; Chronology of the swim bladder development of the fish.