黄条仔稚幼鱼消化酶活性变化研究

为了解黄条(Seriola aureovittata)早期发育阶段的消化生理特性,测定了黄条胚胎、仔稚幼鱼阶段脂肪酶、淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性变化。结果显示,在黄条仔鱼出膜前胚胎阶段,即能检测到脂肪酶、淀粉酶和碱性磷酸酶活性;初孵仔鱼体内(1 d)初次检测出胰蛋白酶的活性。脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶比活力在仔鱼孵化后迅速增强(P<0.05),在4 d开口时,2种酶比活力达最高值;淀粉酶比活力在7 d时达最大值;胰蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼阶段缓慢上升,15 d时比活力最大。稚鱼阶段内脏团中脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性基本维持稳定,幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性都呈现上升趋势;稚鱼和幼鱼阶段内脏团中淀粉酶活性下降并基本稳定于较低水平。研究表明,黄条仔稚幼鱼发育过程中,各种消化酶活性变化明显,且与其发育阶段和食性密切相关。在尚未摄食饵料的早期仔鱼体内已存在消化酶,认为其是母源传递而来,不是由外源性饵料所致;幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶比活力明显提高,这反映出随苗种生长发育,其肠道结构和消化机能逐渐完善,并且对脂肪、蛋白质的需求逐渐增强。     

3种养殖鰤鱼消化相关酶活性的比较分析

为深入了解鰤鱼的消化生理特性,测定并比较分析了3种鰤鱼[高体鰤(Seriola dumerili)、黄条鰤(Seriola lalandi)、五条鰤(Seriola quinqueradiata)]的消化系统(胃、幽门盲囊、前肠、中肠、后肠和肝脏)中5种消化相关酶(胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶、碱性磷酸酶和酸性磷酸酶)活性与组织分布特点。结果显示,3种鰤鱼中5种消化相关酶主要分布在幽门盲囊、肝脏和肠道中。3种鰤鱼胃组织中胃蛋白酶活性无差异。幽门盲囊中胰蛋白酶活性：黄条鰤>高体鰤>五条鰤(P<0.05),高体鰤肝脏组织中胰蛋白酶活性显著高于其他2种鰤鱼(P<0.05);胃、中肠、后肠组织中α-淀粉酶活性：五条鰤>黄条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05),幽门盲囊、前肠组织中α-淀粉酶活性：黄条鰤>五条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05);胃、幽门盲囊组织中脂肪酶活性：黄条鰤>五条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05),前肠、后肠、肝脏中脂肪酶活性：五条鰤>黄条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05);3种鰤鱼的酸、碱性磷酸酶活性组织分布趋势基本一致,其中,黄条鰤幽门盲囊组织中酸、碱性磷酸酶活性最高(P<0.05)。研究表明,3种鰤鱼消化相关酶活性的组织分布特点基本一致,幽门盲囊是5种酶作用的主要靶器官,除胰蛋白酶外,高体鰤其他4种酶活性均显著低于其他2种鰤鱼,黄条鰤幽门盲囊和肠道的5种酶活性显著偏高。结果可为揭示鰤属鱼类的消化生理特性、研制适宜鰤属鱼类消化特点和种特异性生长的高效专用配合饲料提供理论依据。     

中华倒刺鲃仔稚鱼期消化酶及碱性磷酸酶活性变化的研究

本试验选取了中华倒刺鲃从初孵仔鱼到30日龄稚鱼，分析测定了中华倒刺鲃的特定生长率、胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性。结果表明：在整个试验期间，中华倒刺鲃的SGR为26.43%。在初孵仔鱼体内就能检测到胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性。胰蛋白酶在内源营养阶段具有较高的活性，在4日龄开口时其比活力降到一较低值，随后呈现增加的趋势，在18日龄达到最低值后又缓慢增加。淀粉酶在试验期间表现出较高的活性，比活力一直呈增加的趋势。脂肪酶在18日龄前其比活力一直增加，并且在7-18日龄表现出较高的比活力水平，18日龄后快速下降。碱性磷酸酶活性则呈现出一直增加的趋势。     

大弹涂鱼仔稚鱼和早期幼鱼的消化酶活性

采用酶学分析的方法，研究了大弹涂鱼前期仔鱼、后期仔鱼、稚鱼和早期幼鱼发育过程中胰腺酶、肠酶和胃蛋白酶活性的变化。结果表明，(1)4种胰腺酶(淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和羧肽酶A)和8种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、蔗糖酶、乳糖酶、海藻糖酶、纤维二糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、氨基肽酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)的比活力均在仔鱼期较高，稚鱼期降至最低，早期幼鱼则急剧上升，而每尾鱼酶的总活力却随着幼体的发育而逐渐增加；(2)胃蛋白酶活性在后期仔鱼才开始检测到，此后一直呈显著上升趋势；(3)早期幼鱼肠部位的4种胰腺酶活性分别占其酶总活性的百分比均显著高于稚鱼期；(4) 稚鱼期仅3种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、纤维二糖酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)高度富积在肠刷状缘膜上，而早期幼鱼除蔗糖酶外的7种肠酶在肠刷状缘膜上的富集系数均大于5.1。由此得出结论，(1)在仔鱼期，蛋白质的消化是依靠胰腺酶进行的，进入稚鱼期，胃蛋白酶开始对蛋白质的消化起重要作用；(2)在早期幼鱼，胰腺分泌机制及肠细胞已完全成熟，标志着成鱼的消化模式的形成。     

泥鳅仔稚鱼发育期间消化酶及碱性磷酸酶比活力的变化

研究了泥鳅(Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)从孵化至30 DAH(日龄,Days after hatching)几种消化酶及碱性磷酸酶比活力的变化情况。胃蛋白酶直至30 DAH仍未检出活性。而胰蛋白酶表现出较高的比活力,其比活力在初次摄食之后显著上升,6 DAH达到最大值之后开始显著降低(P<0.05)。脂肪酶与淀粉酶的变化模式相似,在内源性营养向外源性营养转变及仔鱼向稚鱼转变这两个时间段出现两个高峰值。碱性磷酸酶比活力在2-6 DAH显著上升(P<0.05),之后开始下降并趋于平稳。研究表明,泥鳅在仔稚鱼阶段只具有结构性的胃而缺乏分泌细胞的分化。2-6 DAH是泥鳅仔鱼肠道功能迅速发育的阶段,也是向成鱼消化模式转变的一个重要过程。脂肪酶和淀粉酶比活力的持续性表明了泥鳅仔鱼对糖类和脂肪有较好的利用能力。     

六斑刺鲀仔稚鱼发育过程中消化酶和非特异性免疫因子的活性变化

为解决六斑刺鲀(Diodon holocanthus)初孵仔鱼高死亡率问题,研究了六斑刺鲀从初孵仔鱼到稚鱼(0～40 d)消化酶活性和非特异性免疫指标的变化。结果显示:六斑刺鲀仔稚鱼全长与日龄呈指数相关。初孵仔鱼体内就可检测到淀粉酶、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性。在整个实验周期内,淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶活性呈现先上升后下降再上升的变化趋势,淀粉酶活性在20 d时达到最高,胰蛋白酶活性在10 d时达到最高,两者整体酶活随日龄都有所增加且胰蛋白酶增加更为明显;脂肪酶活性呈现先下降后上升再下降的变化趋势,1～5 d时酶活性快速降低,5～10 d时又显著升高,15～20 d时又迅速降低并维持在较低水平;胃蛋白酶在1～15 d时活性逐渐上升并在15 d时达到最高,之后缓慢下降并维持低值。溶菌酶(LZM)和免疫球蛋白M(IgM)活性都呈现先上升后下降的变化趋势;IgM活性在10 d时达到最高,LZM活性在5 d时最高,之后两者都波动地缓慢下降并最终维持在较低值。以上结果表明:尚未摄食的六斑刺鲀初孵仔鱼体内已存在各种消化酶,仔稚鱼消化酶活性变化与其发育阶段和饵料种类密切相关。非特异性免疫指标在六斑刺鲀仔稚鱼由内源性营养向外源性营养转变的混合营养期显著上升,之后缓慢下降到较低水平,说明营养转变过程对仔稚鱼的免疫功能影响较大,非特异性免疫指标的升高增强了仔稚鱼的抗病能力,提高了养殖成活率。     

黄条鰤幼鱼胃排空特征、消化酶活性及摄食调控基因表达

为阐明黄条鰤幼鱼摄食消化特性，构建最佳胃排空数学模型，确立最适摄食投喂间隔，实验检测了黄条鰤幼鱼[(63.96±5.63) g]胃排空过程中内容物质量、肝脏和肠道中消化酶活性变化，分析了垂体中摄食调控相关基因的表达，比较了线性模型、平方根模型、立方模型3种数学模型对胃排空曲线的拟合程度。结果显示，黄条鰤在摄食后瞬时胃内容物湿重呈阶段性降低，18 h后降为0，属于直线下降型胃排空类型。胃排空过程中，肝脏淀粉酶、脂肪酶和糜蛋白酶活性呈先上升后下降、随后又上升接着下降的“M”型变化趋势，淀粉酶活性在摄食后0～6 h显著上升，脂肪酶和糜蛋白酶活性在0～9 h显著上升。三种酶活性在9～12 h均呈显著下降趋势，在15～18 h显著上升，且在18 h活性达到最高；肠道中的淀粉酶在0～6 h显著上升，随后下降，9～12 h呈上升趋势，12 h活性达到最高，随后逐渐下降，其脂肪酶和糜蛋白酶活性则是在摄食后0～12 h显著上升，12 h活性达到最高，随后逐渐下降。神经肽Y (npy)和食欲素(ore) mRNA表达水平呈先上升后下降趋势，npy在摄食后12～15 h内表达水平显著上升，ore在9～15 ...     

蓝宝石鱼仔稚鱼发育过程中各消化酶活性变化的研究

对蓝宝石鱼仔稚鱼从破膜至25日龄时的可溶性蛋白含量及各种消化酶活性进行了测定。结果表明，在仔鱼出膜后第1天，均能检测到活性，而胃蛋白酶活性在第613龄后才明显检测到，并趋于稳定。可溶性蛋白的含量随日龄的增加而增加。蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶的活性随着仔稚鱼的发育而发生变化，其全活力与比活力呈现出不同的变化模式。蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼7日龄时达到最大值，之后随日龄的增加比活力降低，并趋于稳定。淀粉酶比活力从1日龄逐渐增加，至7日龄达到最大值，之后一直维持在一较低水平。脂肪酶的全活力与比活力呈现出完全不同的变化方式，全活力从3日龄到6日龄逐渐增加，到6层龄达到最大值，以后急剧下降；刚破膜时，比活力有较高的水平，后来始终降低．但在5～6日龄有所减缓。10日龄后脂肪酶的全活力、比活力都处于较低水平，12日龄时已经无法检出。蓝宝石鱼发育过程中，主要消化酶活性随着生长变化显著，反映蓝宝石鱼随生长其消化功能逐渐完善。     

厚颌鲂仔稚鱼消化酶活性变化研究

测定了厚颌鲂(Megalobrama pellegrini)仔稚鱼从出膜到30日龄的生长、可溶性蛋白含量及消化酶活性。结果表明:初孵仔鱼即能检测到胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶活性,2日龄检测到碱性磷酸酶活性。投喂组可溶性蛋白含量随日龄的增加显著增加(P<0.05),饥饿组可溶性蛋白含量6日龄前增加不显著,6日龄后开始下降。所测消化酶的全活力与比活力呈现出不同的变化模式。各消化酶的全活力基本是随日龄的增加而增加。投喂组胰蛋白酶比活力在10日龄达最大值,随后显著下降;饥饿组胰蛋白酶比活力在4日龄达最大值,随后显著下降。投喂组淀粉酶在5日龄达到最大值,从6日龄到12日龄维持在一个较低水平,随后增加至15日龄的(0.912±0.090)mU/mg,在试验后期均维持在一个相对较低的水平;饥饿组淀粉酶比活力的最大值出现在1日龄,从2日龄到8日龄变化不显著,8日龄后显著下降。投喂组脂肪酶比活力在18日龄达最大值,随后显著下降;饥饿组脂肪酶比活力1日龄到6日龄变化不显著,6日龄后显著下降。投喂组碱性磷酸酶比活力从2日龄到12日龄显著上升,12日龄达到最大值,随后显著下降;饥饿组碱性磷酸酶比活力从2日龄到8日龄显著上升,8日龄达到最大值,随后显著下降。     

丁(鳄)消化酶活性的研究

为探讨丁(鳄)(Tinca tinca)消化生理,研究了其不同生长阶段消化酶活性变化和分布以及温度变化(10、20、30、40、50、60℃)对丁够幼鱼的蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性的影响.结果显示:(1)在鱼苗、鱼种、幼鱼、成鱼4个生长阶段,蛋白酶比活力从鱼苗到鱼种逐渐增强,幼鱼和成鱼阶段有所减弱；脂肪酶比活力从鱼苗到鱼种阶段...     

Changes in digestive enzyme activities during larval development of leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea)

The leopard grouper is an endemic species of the Mexican Pacific with an important commercial fishery and good aquaculture potential. In order to assess the digestive capacity of this species during the larval period and aid in the formulation of adequate weaning diets, this study aimed to characterize the ontogeny of digestive enzymes during development of the digestive system. Digestive enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin, acid protease, leucine–alanine peptidase, alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase N, lipase, amylase and maltase were quantified in larvae fed live prey and weaned onto a formulated microdiet at 31 days after hatching (DAH) and compared with fasting larvae. Enzyme activity for trypsin, lipase and amylase were detected before the opening of the mouth and the onset of exogenous feeding, indicating a precocious development of the digestive system that has been described in many fish species. The intracellular enzyme activity of leucine–alanine peptidase was high during the first days of development, with a tendency to decrease as larvae developed, reaching undetectable levels at the end of the experimental period. In contrast, activities of enzymes located in the intestinal brush border (i.e., aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) were low at the start of exogenous feeding but progressively increased with larval development, indicating the gradual maturation of the digestive system. Based on our results, we conclude that leopard grouper larvae possess a functional digestive system at hatching and before the onset of exogenous feeding. The significant increase in the activity of trypsin, lipase, amylase and acid protease between 30 and 40 DAH suggests that larvae of this species can be successfully weaned onto microdiets during this period.     

Developmental changes in digestive enzyme activity in American shad, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alosa sapidissima</Emphasis>, during early ontogeny

In order to assess the digestive physiological capacity of the American shad Alosa sapidissima and to establish feeding protocols that match larval nutritional requirements, we investigated the ontogenesis of digestive enzymes (trypsin, amylase, lipase, pepsin, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase) in larvae, from hatching to 45 days after hatching (DAH). We found that all of the target enzymes were present at hatching, except pepsin, which indicated an initial ability to digest nutrients and precocious digestive system development. Trypsin rapidly increased to a maximum at 14 DAH. Amylase sharply increased until 10 DAH and exhibited a second increase at 33 DAH, which coincided with the introduction of microdiet at 30 DAH, thereby suggesting that the increase was associated with the microdiet carbohydrate content. Lipase increased until 14 DAH, decreased until 27 DAH, and then increased until 45 DAH. Pepsin was first detected at 27 DAH and then sharply increased until 45 DAH, which suggested the formation of a functional stomach. Both alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase markedly increased until 18 DAH, which indicated intestinal maturation. According to our results, we conclude that American shad larvae possess the functional digestive system before mouth opening, and the significant increases in lipase, amylase, pepsin, and intestinal enzyme activities between 27 and 33 DAH suggest that larvae can be successfully weaned onto microdiets around this age.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes and effect of starvation in miiuy croaker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Miichthys miiuy</Emphasis> larvae

The ontogenetic development of the digestive enzymes amylase, lipase, trypsin, and alkaline phosphatase and the effect of starvation in miiuy croaker Miichthys miiuy larvae were studied. The activities of these enzymes were detected prior to exogenous feeding, but their developmental patterns differed remarkably. Trypsin activity continuously increased from 2 days after hatching (dah), peaked on 20 dah, and decreased to 25 dah at weaning. Alkaline phosphatase activity oscillated at low levels within a small range after the first feeding on 3 dah. In contrast, amylase and lipase activities followed the general developmental pattern that has been characterized in fish larvae, with a succession of increases or decreases. Amylase, lipase, and trypsin activities generally started to increase or decrease at transitions from endogenous to exogenous feeding or diet changes, suggesting that these enzymatic activities can be modulated by feeding modes. The activities of all the enzymes remained stable from 25 dah onwards, coinciding with the formation of gastric glands and pyloric caecum. These results imply that specific activities of these enzymes underwent changes due to morphological and physiological modifications or diet shift during larval development but that they became stable after the development of the digestive organs and associated glands was fully completed and the organs/glands functioned. Trypsin and alkaline phosphatase were more sensitive to starvation than amylase and lipase because delayed feeding up to 2 days after mouth opening was able to adversely affect their activities. Enzyme activities did not significantly differ among feeding groups during endogenous feeding; however, all activities were remarkably reduced when delayed feeding was within 3 days after mouth opening. Initiation of larvae feeding should occur within 2 days after mouth opening so that good growth and survival can be obtained in the culture.     

Growth and ontogenetic development of digestive functionality in black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis)

The function of digestive physiology during ontogenetic development is essential to ensure high survival and growth rates. In order to evaluate the digestive physiological capacity of the black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis), changes of morphology and digestive enzyme activity (trypsin, lipase, amylase, pepsin, leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) in larvae were examined from hatching to 40 days after hatching (DAH). Results indicated that fluctuation patterns differed between the total and specific activities of the digestive enzymes. The total activities of these six enzymes gradually increased throughout the fish growth. The specific activity of trypsin peaked at 5 DAH and then decreased dramatically, while it increased remarkably again from 8 to 10 DAH and remained stable level after 20 DAH. Pepsin activity was first examined in M. terminalis at 15 DAH and gradually elevated towards the end of the experiment. The specific activity of lipase displayed obvious peaks at 5 and 20 DAH. For the amylase, its specific activity reached plateau at 4 DAH, underwent sharp decrease, and remained stable after 20 DAH. In addition, we found that the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase raised significantly from hatching to 5 DAH, and tended to keep slight fluctuation after 15 DAH. From the above, we concluded that the specific activities of digestive enzymes in the larvae varied constantly from 3 to 20 DAH and turned relatively stable after 20 DAH. The present study provides effective information that is useful to improve the seedling cultivation and the technology for healthy breeding.     

Digestive enzyme activity at different developmental stages of blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brunnich 1768)

Blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brunnich), has been identified as a potential species to diversify European aquaculture production. Although rearing aspects have been widely investigated, little information exists on the nutritional requirements for this species. The aim of this study was to build up information on the activity of digestive enzymes at certain developmental stages of blackspot seabream in order to understand the nutritional needs of larvae and post larvae. Fish larvae were reared from hatching to 55 days after hatching (dah), and the feeding plan consisted in rotifers (5–35 dah), Artemia naupli (30–35 dah) metanaupli (35–45) and Gemma microdiet (45–55 dah). At 7, 11, 21, 45 and 55 days after hatching (dah), pooled samples of fish larvae were collected for analysis of trypsin, amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine–alanine peptidase activity. Up to 21 dah, the whole larvae body was used for enzymatic analysis, whereas in older larvae only the dissected abdominal cavity was used. Blackspot seabream body dry weight growth was exponential, increasing from 60 μg at 5 dah to 30±9.7 mg at 55 dah. Amylase specific activity decreased significantly during development, exhibiting at 11 dah (0.6 U mg^?1 protein) an average value 2.7 times lower than at 7 dah, and remaining stable between 45 and 55 dah (0.7 U mg protein^?1). Trypsin specific activity remained constant until 21 dah (between 38 and 44 mU mg protein^?1), which could be related to the larvae feeding regime. At later stages of development, lipase‐specific activity exhibited a significant increase (P<0.05), being three times higher at 55 dah (8 U mg protein^?1) than at 45 dah. The total activity of the studied digestive enzymes increased significantly during larval development (until 21 dah), whereas afterwards only lipase and leucine–alanine peptidase increased significantly between 45 and 55 dah. The pattern of digestive enzymes activity was related to organogenesis and the type of food used at different developmental stages.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in larval and juvenile crimson snapper Lutjanus erythopterus (Bloch 1790)

Ontogenetic development of digestive system in crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythopterus Bloch 1790) larvae was histologically and enzymatically (alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lipase, pepsin, trypsin) examined from hatching to 36 days post hatching (DPH). The ontogenetic development of crimson snapper larval fish ontogeny was divided into three distinct phases: phase I starting from hatch to the onset of exogenous feeding, phase II starting from first feeding (2–3 DPH) until the formation of gastric glands (13–14 DPH) and phase III beginning from the appearance of gastric glands and continuing onwards. The specific activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin showed sharp increase and reached to the maximum from hatch to 4 DPH, 10 DPH, 20 DPH, respectively, followed by a declining trend with irregular fluctuation. In contrast to other enzymes, the specific activities of alkaline phosphatase showed a gradual increase from hatch to 29 DPH, followed by a sharp increase towards 36 DPH. The specific activity of pepsin was firstly detected on 17 DPH and gradually increased towards the end of this study. The total activities of these five enzymes showed a gradual increase till 29 DPH, followed by a sharp increase towards 36 DPH except for amylase and lipase reaching maximum at 32 DPH. The present study provides better understanding of the digestive ontogeny of crimson snapper during the larval stage and a guide to feeding and weaning of this economically important fish in hatcheries.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae

The development of digestive enzymes was examined in laboratory-reared yellowtail kingfish larvae from hatching to 36 days after hatching (DAH). The specific activities of amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase showed three distinct phases: a sharp increase in enzyme activity from hatching to the onset of exogenous feeding on 3 DAH, followed by a fluctuation and a general decline toward 18 DAH, and then a period of low activity from 18 to 36 DAH. The total activities of these three enzymes showed a gradual increase from hatching to 18 DAH, followed by a sharp increase toward 36 DAH. In contrast to other enzymes, the specific and total activities of trypsin reached the maximum on 15 DAH and 24 DAH, respectively, and then both activities declined to low levels toward 36 DAH. The dynamics of digestive enzymes corresponded to the anatomical development of the digestive system. The enzyme activities tend to be stable after the formation of gastric glands in the stomach on 15 DAH. The composition of digestive enzymes indicates that yellowtail kingfish is able to digest protein, lipid and carbohydrates at an early stage. However, due to the low level of amylase specific activity after 18 DAH, the carbohydrate component should remain at a low level in formulated diets for fish larvae.     

Development of Digestive Enzymes in California Halibut <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys californicus</Emphasis> Larvae

California halibut Paralichthys californicus is an important commercial species with high aquaculture potential in Baja California Sur, México. To optimize the feeding process using live prey and/or inert diets, we evaluated alkaline proteases, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, lipase, α-amylase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities on starved larvae and larvae fed live prey. Highest activities were observed for alkaline protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase in feeding larvae than starved larvae on day 4 after hatching. At day 5, a sizeable increase in all enzymatic activities was detected in feeding larvae. Alkaline protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and alkaline phosphatase decreases progressively from day 5 until day 18. At day 18, a slight pepsin activity was observed. This was considered an indicator of the start of digestive system maturation. We concluded that total enzymatic equipment for this species is complete between day 18 and 30 after hatching. Based on this evidence, early weaning from live prey to inert feed would be possible at this time.