The effect of vitamins C and E in (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids-enriched Artemia nauplii on growth, survival, and stress resistance of fresh water walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enriching Artemia nauplii with vitamin C (ascorbyl-6 palmitate) or vitamin E (α-tocopherol acetate), 20% w/w, together with a mixture of concentrated eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) on the growth, survival, and stress resistance of fresh water walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae. Either cod liver oil (CLO) or EPA/DHA ethyl esters concentrate was used as lipid sources in the Artemia enrichment. Walleye larvae were fed ad libitum for 40 days. At day 40, submersion in salt water (25 g L⁻¹) was performed to evaluate larvae resistance to stress. EPA and DHA levels in walleye juveniles fed EPA/DHA-enriched Artemia increased significantly, by an average of 650% compared with fish fed non-enriched Artemia . A significant increase was found for vitamins C (71.8 ± 1.0 and 42.7 ± 1.2 μg g⁻¹ wet weight (WW)) and E (17.0 ± 3.7 and 6.5 ± 0.9 μg g⁻¹WW) concentrations in fish fed enriched and unenriched Artemia , respectively. Growth was comparable throughout treatments, whereas survival was significantly higher in fish fed CLO-enriched Artemia nauplii compared with fish fed Artemia nauplii enriched with EPA/DHA concentrate. The addition of vitamin C increased fish survival by 1.4-fold compared with fish fed Artemia enriched with only EPA/DHA concentrate. The survival of the latter was similar to control fish ( Artemia without enrichment). The supplementation of vitamin E did not affect fish survival significantly. Stress tests revealed that the resistance of walleye larvae to salinity changes increased when Artemia enrichment was supplemented with vitamin C. However, walleye larvae fed CLO-enriched Artemia had the best performances in the stress test.     

Phototrophic Bacteria as Feed Supplement for Rearing Penaeus monodon Larvae

Larvae of the giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon were reared from the naupliar to pos-tlarval stage, based on a diet of waste-grown phototrophic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfido-philum , the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum , and brine shrimp Artemia The experimental design consisted of feeding the protozoea with diatoms and varying proportions of bacterial biomass as diet D0 (0%), D1 (1%), D2 (2%), D3 (3%), and D5 (5%), while mysis and postlarvae were fed the above diet supplemented with Artemia nauplii. Controls were not fed with bacteria biomass (diet D0). The addition of R. sulfidophilum biomass in the diet had significant effects on the growth and survival of P. monodon larvae. In the first experiment, the larvae fed with diet D1 ( Skeletonema + 1% R. sulfidophilum ) reached the first postlarval stage (PL1) on the ninth day of feeding and had a mean total length (TL) of 6.13 ± 0.05 mm, which was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) than TL of larvae fed with the other three diets. In another experiment, prawn larvae fed with diet D2 had the highest overall survival of 46% and a significantly larger mean TL of 6.88 ± 0.18 mm at PL1 compared to larvae fed with diet D0 and D3 ( P > 0.05). However, in both experiments prawn larvae fed with the various diets showed significant differences in their length-at-stage ( P > 0.05), and the lowest growth and survival were obtained from diets comprising 3% and 5% bacterial biomass, which also gave the highest levels of ammonia-nitrogen in the culture water. Addition of more than 2% R. sulfidophilum biomass apparently deteriorates the quality of the culture water.     

Effects of temperature, density and early weaning on the survival and growth of Atlantic ditch shrimp Palaemonetes varians larvae

This investigation examined the effects of temperature, density and early weaning on the survival and growth of Palaemonetes varians larvae. Survival of larvae raised at 17.5 °C was not significantly different (average + standard deviation) (94 ± 5%) from the survival of those raised at 19.5 °C (95 ± 5%) and at 21.5 °C (94 ± 4%). However, the duration of the larval stage was significantly longer for shrimp reared at 17.5 °C (17.3 ± 0.8 days) compared with shrimp reared at 19.5 °C (14.3 ± 0.7 days) and at 21.5 °C (11.3 ± 0.6 days). No significant differences ( P >0.05) were found in the survival rate, final weight and length of larvae reared at the densities of 5, 10, 20 and 50 larvae L⁻¹. The survival of P. varians larvae fed solely on Artemia was significantly higher ( P <0.05) than larvae weaned with an artificial practical diet from Zoea II stage (94 ± 4% and 82 ± 1%, respectively, for Artemia and artificial diet-fed larvae), but no significant differences ( P >0.05) were observed in the final larval weight or length between these two treatments. The survival and growth of the larvae fed with the practical diet tested is a promising step ahead in the development of the culture of this species as it eliminates both the need for Artemia throughout all larval stages, and the need for more expensive artificial diets.     

Effect of diet and light regime on growth and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) larvae and early juveniles

Growth of larval sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus fed live Artemia nauplii , a specially prepared dry feed (MN-3), a commercial dry salmon starter feed (Silver Cup 3600), or a combination of 50% live Artemia and 50% MN-3, under conditions of either light or dark for 21 days was studied. For all diets, fish reared in darkened tanks were significantly larger than those in illuminated tanks from day 8 onwards. Fish fed a combination of live Artemia plus MN-3 grew significantly more quickly than those fed either live Artemia or MN-3 only. On day 21 of the experiment, average weight of fish fed the combined diet was 649 ± 30 mg (mean ± SEM ) in darkened tanks and 445 ± 16 mg in illuminated tanks, while those fed Artemia alone were 242 ± 9 and 198 ± 13 mg (dark and light, respectively) and fish fed MN-3 only were intermediate at 377 ± 20 and 267 ± 16 mg (dark and light, respectively). Catfish fed the salmon starter initially grew slowly, but after day 11 grew more quickly than the other groups. Mortalities were highest for fish fed salmon feed.
Permanent darkness enhances the growth of C. gariepinus larvae during and after metamorphosis. While dry diets promoted higher growth rate than live Artemia nauplii alone, a combination of the two resulted in the fastest growth.     

Lipid Nutrition and Feeding of Cobia Rachycentron canadum Larvae

This study examined the fatty acid composition of cobia Rachycentron canadum eggs and yolksac larvae, as well as the ovaries of wild caught females as an initial guide to lipid nutritional requirements. A 2-wk feeding study also was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of four dietary treatments on the growth and survival of cobia larvae. Cobia eggs in the tailbud stage contained 31.4 ± 1.3 μg lipid/egg. After hatching, the amount of lipid decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 28.3 ± 0.3 to 23.2 ± 0.1 μg lipid/larvae during the yolksac larval stage (days 1 to 3 after hatching). Ovaries from wild caught adults and captive spawned eggs and yolksac larvae contained high levels of PUFAs with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) accounting for approximately 80% of the total suggesting that cobia larvae may have a high dietary requirement for these fatty acids. For the feeding study, larvae were fed: 1) Artemia only; 2) enriched rotifers for 1 d only + microparticulate diet (day 313); 3) enriched rotifers for 3 d (day 3–5) + Artemia (day 3–13); and 4) enriched rotifers for 6 d (day 3–8) + Artemia (day 3–13). Cobia larvae began feeding on rotifers 3 d after hatching and on newly hatched Artemia nauplii by the fifth day following the onset of exogenous feeding (day 7). On day 7, no differences in larval growth were found among larvae fed rotifers for 3 versus 6 d, whereas larvae fed only Artemia or rotifers for I d followed by microparticulate diet were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) and did not survive beyond day 9 and 13, respectively. The results of the feeding study indicate that cobia larvae require rotifers for a minimum of 4 d following the onset of exogenous feeding.     

Effects of Food and Temperature on Survival and Development in the Peppermint Shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni

Abstract— The effects of four kinds of foods ( Artemia nauplii, rotifer, and microalgae Chaetoceros gracilis and Isochrysis galbana ) and four temperature regimes on survival and development of larval Lysmata wurdemanni , a marine ornamental shrimp, were determined. The larvae fed with Chaetoceros or Isochrysis only survived for a maximum of 17 d, before developing to zoea IV. The survivorship of the larvae fed with Artemia nauplii or rotifer from zoea II to post-larvae was 66.7% and 68.9%. respectively, without significant difference ( P > 0.05). But larvae fed with Artemia nauplii grew significantly ( P < 0.05) faster than those fed with rotifer. Larvae fed with Artemia nauplii reached postlarvae in 29–32 d, compared with 32–36 d in the rotifer treatment. Artemia nauplii are also suitable food for the postlarvae and juveniles of L. wurdemanni . The 30 postlarvae fed on Artemia nauplii all survived to reach sexual maturity in 50 to 70 d, growing from about 7 to 28 mm in total length. The effects of four temperature regimes on larval development of L. wurdemanni was also investigated. The duration (mean ± SD d) to the postlarvae at temperatures of 26 C (37.4 ± 5.4) and of 26–30 C daily (40.2 ± 5.8) was significantly ( P < 0.05) longer than that at 28.5 C (29.3 ± 4.8) and at 27–29 C daily (28.7 ± 3.5).     

光合细菌对多刺裸腹溞培养的影响

在实验室条件下,采用静止培养法对多刺裸腹溞进行培养实验,研究在以酵母和小球藻为饵料的多刺裸腹溞培养中,添加不同浓度光合细菌对其生长繁殖的影响。结果表明:光合细菌(菌液浓度为48×108cell/ml)添加量为1 mg/L(组2)、2mg/L(组3)、64 mg/L(组8)、130 mg/L(组9)和260 mg/L(组10)时,实验组中多刺裸腹溞的生殖量与空白对照(组1)相比均无差异(P>0.05);光合细菌添加量分别为4 mg/L(组4)和8 mg/L(组5)时,实验组中多刺裸腹溞的生殖量明显多于对照组,差异较明显(P<0.05),其对多刺裸腹溞的增长具有明显的促进作用;在16 mg/L(组6)和32 mg/L(组7)时,实验组中多刺裸腹溞的生殖量达到最高峰,分别为对照组的1.54倍和1.40倍,差异十分显著(P<0.05);而当添加量过高,在520~800 mg/L(组11~组14)浓度范围内,实验组中多刺裸腹生殖量呈现急剧下降趋势,显著低于对照组(P<0.05);在本实验设计范围内,浓度等于或高于900 mg/L(组15)时,幼溞在12 d后仍没有达到性成熟,光合细菌对多刺裸腹溞的繁殖明显起抑制作用。以上结果显示,在以酵母与小球藻为饵料的多刺裸腹溞培养中,16~32 mg/L的光合细菌添加量最为适宜,该浓度范围的光合细菌对多刺裸腹溞的生长繁殖具有显著的促进效果。     

Nutritional and density-dependent responses of some cladocera

Abstract. Four cladoceran species of importance as fish food organisms, viz. Daphnia similes (Claus), Simocephalus vetulus (Schodler). Moina macrocopa (Straus) and Ceriodaphnia cornuta (Sars), were raised in the laboratory on nutrient sources including manures, rice bran and Chlorella. The organisms responded better with rice bran and Chlorella.
The productivity of culture organisms appeared to depend upon inoculum and residual densities, indicating a relationship between periodic harvesting and increased production. Associated study reveals the importance of space per individual in the success of laboratory cultures. The optimum space requirement of each species determined by the size of culture organism may vary from 4·5cm³ per individual for small species like Ceriodaphnia to 41·8cm³ per individual for the larger species, Daphnia.     

Effect of vitamin E and highly unsaturated fatty acid-enriched Artemia urmiana on growth performance, survival and stress resistance of Beluga (Huso huso) larvae

A 44-day rearing trial was conducted to examine the enrichment of Artemia urmiana nauplii with vitamin E and highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) and its effects on the growth performance, survival and stress resistance of great sturgeon, Huso huso , larvae. Cod liver oil (EPA 18% and DHA 12%) and α-tocopherol acetate were used as lipid and vitamin E sources. Beluga larvae at the first exogenous feeding with 69±5.9 mg body weight were randomly distributed into four treatments and three tanks were assigned to each diet. The test treatments were as follows: larvae fed with HUFA+20% and HUFA+50% (w/w) vitamin E-enriched Artemia nauplii (E1 and E2 groups, respectively), HUFA without vitamin E (HUFA group) and non-enriched Artemia (control group). All treatments fed non-enriched Artemia for the initial 5 days after first feeding and then fed enriched Artemia for 7 days. After the period of enrichment, larvae were fed with daphnia from the 13th to the 40th day. At day 40, submersion in salt water (6 ppt for 4 days and 12 ppt for 2 days) and warm water (33 °C for 2 days) was performed to evaluate larvae resistance to salinity and temperature stress. Final weight, daily growth rate, specific growth rate and weight gain were higher in beluga fed with enriched Artemia . The highest growth rates were observed in E1, whereas survival was not significantly different between groups. Use of vitamin E and HUFA significantly increased fish resistance to a salinity of 12 ppt and the lowest stress resistance was observed in the control group. Stress tolerance was not significantly different at 6 ppt and 33 °C between groups. There was no comparable difference in the haematocrit index under stress conditions. These results indicated that the enrichment of Artemia with essential fatty acids and vitamin E can affect some growth and stress tolerance factors in great sturgeon, Huso huso , larvae.     

The use of squid protein hydrolysate as a protein source in microdiets for gilthead seabream Sparus aurata larvae

In the present study, the use of predigested proteins as an ingredient of microdiets offered to gilthead seabream larvae was tested. The protein source (freeze-dried squid powder) was hydrolysed with protease (trypsin and pancreatin). Different levels of raw squid protein and hydrolysate (100% protein, 50% protein/50% hydrolysate, 100% hydrolysate) were added to the microdiets to produce a dietary protein level of 65%. For comparison, cofeeding of Artemia nauplii and microdiet as well as microdiet supplemented with pancreatin were also offered to the larvae. The final average dry weights of 32-day-old larvae were 1.65 ± 0.04 mg, 1.38 ± 0.06 mg and 1.13 ± 0.1 mg, respectively, for larvae cofed 0%, 50% and 100% hydrolysate microdiets and Artemia nauplii. Survival of larvae was not affected by protein source. The survival of larvae cofed Artemia nauplii and microdiet was significantly higher than that of larvae fed exclusively on microdiet (68% and 80%, respectively). These results suggest that the use of hydrolysate (at 50% greater) as a protein source in diets for seabream larvae is not to be recommended.     

不同食物组合与投喂方法对蒙古裸腹溞生长和生殖的影响

蒙古裸腹(Moina mongolica Daday)是旧大陆上分布的一种盐水裸腹溞[1],1988年在我国被首次报道[2].有关该溞的生物学和培养技术已被较为系统地研究[3].20世纪90年代以来,该溞在我国沿海地区逐渐被用做海水和半咸水鱼、虾、蟹人工育苗生产中的活饵料.     

The Effect of Diet on the Biochemical Composition of Juvenile Artemia: Potential Formulations for Rock Lobster Aquaculture

The lipid class and fatty acid (FA) composition of juvenile Artemia fed continuously on four diets—the microalga Tetraselmis suecica , a mix of oat bran-wheat germ-lecithin (OWL), OwL-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and OWL-EPA-arachidonic acid (AA)—were examined over a 9-d experiment in an attempt to approximate the FA profile of phyllosoma larvae of wild southern rock lobster Jasus edwardrii . The main difference in lipid class composition of Artemia fed the four diets was the relative level of polar lipid (PL) and triacylglycerol (TAG). By day 9, the algal-fed Artemia were highest in PL (95% of total lipid) and lowest in TAG (2%), whereas the remaining diets resulted in Artemia with 16–30% PL and 41–82% TAG. After 2 d, the relative FA composition of all Artemia treatments closely reflected those of the diets, with no marked change after further feeding (to day 9). In terms of the content of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), by day 5 Artemia fed: 1) with the algal diet contained 7 mg/g FA dry mass (0.3% DHA, 6.3% EPA, 3.4% AA of total FA); 2) with the OWL diet contained 3 mg/g (0.3% DHA, 0.9% EPA, 0.7% AA); 3) with the OWL-EPA diet contained 55 mg/g (6.2% DHA, 11.6% EPA, 1.1% AA); and 4) with the OWL-EPA-AA contained 83 mg/g (3.8% DHA, 7.5% EPA, 17.4% AA). The PUFA profiles of Artemia using the OWL-oil diets were similar to wild rock lobster phyllmmata, although levels of doco-sahexaenoic acid (DHA) were lower (10% DHA) than in J. edwardsii larvae. On the basis of PUFA composition data alone, the results suggest the suitability of the OWL-oil mixed diets for consideration for feeding to Artemia used in the culture of southern rock lobster larvae, particularly if the level of DHA can be further enhanced.     

Dietary Photoprotective Compounds Ameliorate UV Tolerance in Shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) through Induction of Antioxidant Activity

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on bioaccumulation of UV‐absorbing compounds acquired through the diet, in larvae and postlarvae of Pleoticus muelleri, and to assess tissue antioxidant activity, survival, and development. Mysis stage I were exposed to two artificial radiation treatments: M‐PAR (photosynthetically active radiation, range = 400–700 nm) and M‐PAR + UVR (280–700 nm). The experimental larvae received a mixed dietary treatment of Artemia persimilis and the microalga Pavlova lutheri, reared under two radiation regimes: PAR (D‐PAR) and PAR + UVR (D‐PAR + UVR). Shrimp from all treatments reached 8 d postlarval stage (PL8), except those under M‐PAR + UVR treatment fed the D‐PAR‐cultured algae, which had 0% survival. Larvae in M‐PAR + UVR and M‐PAR treatments fed with D‐PAR + UVR diet presented the highest survival rates (70 and 75%, respectively), with 37 and 41% increase in PL size. UV‐absorbing compounds were detected in microalgae and PL subject to PAR + UVR treatments. Antioxidant activity, quantified by measuring the free‐radical 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl in homogenates of PL8, decayed drastically under radiation treatment M‐PAR + UVR fed with algae of the D‐PAR + UVR treatment. It is concluded that the bioaccumulation of UV‐absorbing compounds and the highest antioxidant activity in PL could improve the biochemical and photophysiological responses of shrimp under UVR stress.     

The effect of tank colouration on survival, metamorphosis rate, growth and time to metamorphosis freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) rearing

Seedstock‐costs of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii can represent >50% of the total production costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of culture tank colouration on survival, metamorphosis rate, weight and time required to reach the postlarval (PL) stage. Newly hatched prawn larvae were stocked into eighteen 16‐L plastic culture tanks at a density of 30 L^?1. Tank colours evaluated were red, black, white, blue, green and yellow. Larval prawns were fed brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) nauplii and a supplemental diet. Data indicated that larval tank colour had no significant impact (P>0.05) on the final PL size or days required to reach PL stage. However, total survival was significantly higher (P<0.05) in red and green tanks (84% and 78% respectively) than in white and blue tanks (56% and 44% respectively). Survival in the yellow and black tanks (71% in both) was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the red, green or white treatments, but was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the blue treatment. This could have a significant financial impact on commercial hatchery, and growout production, as most larval tanks currently in use are blue or black.     

Evaluation of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Enrichment of Artemia Nauplii as Food for Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Walbaum Larvae

Three enrichment techniques were evaluated for their efficiency in improving the dietary value of Artemia nauplii to striped bass larvae. Newly hatched Artemia nauplii from the Great Salt Lake (GSL) were enriched for 24 h using the following diets: 1) gelatin-acacia microcapsules containing menhaden oil rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), primarily 20:5ω3 eicosapen-taenoic acid; 2) an emulsion of Baker's yeast and menhaden oil; and 3) marine Chlorella sp. Unfed San Francisco Bay (SFB) and GSL nauplii were used as controls. Enriched GSL (all three diets) and unfed SFB nauplii had significantly higher ( P < 0.05) levels of 20:503 than the unfed nauplii from GSL. Seven days post-hatched (day 0) striped bass larvae were reared for 21 d on enriched or unfed nauplii. On day 21, wet weight and total length of striped bass larvae fed enriched GSL nauplii and unfed SFB nauplii were significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than those fed unenriched GSL nauplii. The enrichment of the GSL nauplii appeared to increase the eicosapentaenoic acid content and enhance the growth of the striped bass larvae.     

Bioencapsulation of erythromycin using adult brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana (Latreille)

Live adult brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana (Latreille), were enriched with erythromycin to determine if Artemia could accumulate therapeutic levels for subsequent feeding to young fish. Three trials were conducted to determine the erythromycin incorporation and survival rates of enriched Artemia when fed either liposomes containing erythromycin or various erythromycin suspensions. Erythromycin concentration in Artemia fed a liposome suspension was low (∼ 5 μg mL⁻¹) relative to Artemia fed the direct suspension (> 100 μg mL⁻¹) over the same time period. When enriched with suspensions up to 1 g erythromycin L⁻¹ sea water for 14 h, Artemia survival was not significantly affected ( P > 0.05) relative to controls. Using a suspension of 1 g L⁻¹, tissue erythromycin concentrations of 109 ± 16 μg erythromycin mL⁻¹  Artemia homogenate (mean ± SEM) were achieved after 12 h. Concentrations above 170 μg mL⁻¹ were obtained using suspensions of 2–5 g L⁻¹, but Artemia survival significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased.     

Effect of feeding frequency and feeding time on growth of Penaeus vannamei (Boone)

Abstract. An intensive growth trial conducted In pens in an earthen pond indicated that growth of Penaeus vannamei (Boone) increased with feeding frequency and suggested that day feedings produce greater growth than night feedings. The differences in growth due to feeding frequency were significant, instantaneous growth rates (IGR) increasing from 1·62% to 1·66% to 1·71%/day as the number of feedings increased from one to two to four per 24 h. Comparison of the IGR of shrimp fed at night (1·64%/day) to that of shrimp fed during the day (1·68%/day) suggested ( P = 0·0633) that growth was greater for shrimp given day feedings than for shrimp given night feedings. Survival of shrimp was not significantly different due to feeding frequency or due to time of feeding and averaged 74·7 ± 6·1%. Results indicate that P. vannamei cultured under conditions similar to those tested should be fed a minimum of four times daily and suggest that feeding during the day is at least as good as and may be preferable to feeding at night.     

Acceptability of various microparticulate diets to first-feeding walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae

The acceptability of eight diets made by a wide variety of microparticulate manufacturing processes was studied using first-feeding walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae. Diets were formulated using a common dietary mix but differed in manufacture technique. The microparticulate diets fed were (1) carrageenan bound, (2) alginate bound, (3) starch/konjack bound, (4) microextruded/maurmurized (MEM), (5) zein bound, (6) carboxymethyl cellulose bound (CMC), (7) particle-assisted rotationally agglomerated (PARA) and (8) a commercial microparticulate diet (Fry Feed Kyowa B-700, FFK). Controls were groups fed live Artemia nauplii and unfed. Gut fullness was measured as the cross-sectional optical area of the bolus visible through the transparent body of the larvae using computer-aided image analysis. Feeding incidence on MEM particles (71 ± 8%, mean ± standard error), zein-bound particles (69 ± 7%), alginate-bound particles (68 ± 2%) and PARA particles (65 ± 6%) were not significantly different ( P   0.05) from the feeding incidence for Artemia (71 ± 6%). FFK (49 ± 14%) and particles bound with carboxymethyl cellulose (27 ± 0.07%), starch (21 ± 10%) or carrageenan (20 ± 0.8%) had significantly ( P  < 0.05) lower feeding incidence. Larvae that did initiate feeding did not differ significantly ( P  > 0.05) in the amount of each microparticulate diet or Artemia consumed. This data indicates that once first-feeding walleye start on a diet, they will consume that diet to a similar fixed level of satiation. Given the differences in the amounts of water and nutrients in the various diets, more nutrients were delivered to the gut of walleye larvae feeding on microparticulate diets than on the Artemia control.     

Larval feeding behaviour of the endangered fish golden bubblebee goodeid, Allotoca dugesi, implications for conservation of an endangered species

Abstract To improve survival of cultured juvenile fishes, it is important to understand prey preferences and predation behaviour of fish larvae. In this study, the feeding behaviour and prey preference of Allotoca dugesi (Bean), a small fish species endemic to Mexico and currently threatened with extinction are presented. Three zooplanktonic prey, viz. Brachionus calyciflorus (Pallas) , Moina macrocopa (Goulden) and Daphnia pulex (Leydig) were tested. The mean size (standard length ± SE, mm) of the larvae ranged from 9.0 ± 0.1 mm at week 1 to 18 ± 2 mm at the end of the experimental period (8 weeks). The gape size (mean ± SE) increased from 0.125 ± 0.002 mm at the first week to 2.300 ± 0.361 mm by the eighth week. Capture success (capture/attack) ranged from 0.80 to 0.98 with Brachionus , 0.72–0.94 with Moina and 0.17–0.46 with Daphnia . Prey preference experiments were conducted using B. calyciflorus, M. macrocopa and D. pulex at a fixed ratio of 5 : 2 : 2 ind. mL⁻¹, respectively, and revealed a positive selection for rotifers and Moina , but avoidance of Daphnia . The results are discussed with reference to conservation efforts for Allotoca dugesi .     

Use of egg custard augmented with cod liver oil and Moina micrura on production of freshwater prawn postlarvae

Use of egg custard augmented with cod liver oil (CLO) fed during the day, and of an overnight feed with Moina micrura, were evaluated in terms of its effects on production of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) postlarvae (PL). Four levels of CLO (0, 1,3 and 5%) were tested. Significantly higher mean (sd) productions, ranging from 11.27 (1.16) to 13.02 (1.70) PL l^–1, were obtained for larvae fed egg custard enriched with CLO compared with that of 7.83 (1.58) PLl^–1 for larvae fed egg custard without CLO. The development and survival of larval stages were also higher for the CLO diets. The -3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) in egg custard increased with increasing CLO level (0–5%). The fatty acid composition of postlarvae reflected the composition of the diet.