Replacement of live food with a microbound diet in feeding Litopenaeus setiferus (Burkenroad) larvae

Microbound feeds have been well accepted by shrimps and farmers in many penaeid shrimp hatcheries. The present study focused on an adequate level of replacement of Artemia nauplii and microalgae by a microbound diet for rearing Litopenaeus setiferus (Burkenroad) larvae. A microbound diet (MBD) consisting of fishmeal, squid meal, shrimp meal, yeast meal and soybean meal was used. The first experiment was designed to obtain the optimum level of MBD to complete the live feeding schedule, from Protozoea (PZ_III) to Mysis (M_III). The experimental levels of the microbound diet tested were 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1. The next step was to determine the Artemia nauplii replacement level from PZ_I to M_III by MBD. These experiments were carried out either in the presence (Experiment 2) or in the absence of algae (Experiment 3). Four replacement levels were tested: 0% (4 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 1 Artemia nauplii mL^?1), 40% (5.5 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 0.6 Artemia nauplii), 60% (6.5 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 0.4 Artemia nauplii) and 100% (8 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1: 0 Artemia nauplii). In all experiments growth, survival, development, quality index (QI) and performance index (PI), were used to determine the optimum concentration of microbound diet. Results showed that 6 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1 can be recommended as a complement to live food for L. setiferus larvae from PZ_III to M_III. In the presence of algae, maximum growth and survival may be obtained in 40–60% (5.5–6.5 mg MBD L^?1 day^?1) of Artemia nauplii replacement levels. In the absence of algae, the Artemia nauplii replacement resulted in slower development, less salinity resistance, lower growth and lower survival than was obtained in larvae fed with algae.     

Trypsin enzyme activity during larval development of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) fed on live feeds

Larval stages of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were fed standard live diets of mixed microalgae from the first to the third protozoea (PZ1 to PZ3), followed by Artemia nauplii until post‐larvae 1 (PL1). Trypsin enzyme activity for each larval stage was determined using N‐α‐p‐toluenesulphonyl‐l ‐arginine methyl ester (TAME) as a substrate. Results were expressed as enzyme content to assess ontogenetic changes during larval development. Tissue trypsin content (IU µg^?1 DW for each larval stage) was significantly highest at the PZ1 stage and declined through subsequent stages to PL1. This contrasts with previously observed patterns of trypsin development in Litopenaeus setiferus (Linnaeus) and other penaeid genera, which exhibit a peak in trypsin activity at the third protozoea/first mysis (PZ3/M1) larval stage. Litopenaeus vannamei larvae transferred to a diet of Artemia at the beginning of the second protozoea (PZ2) stage were significantly heavier on reaching the first mysis stage (M1) than those fed algae, while survival was not significantly different between treatments. At both PZ2 and PZ3 stages, trypsin content in larvae feeding on Artemia was significantly lower than in those feeding on algae. The rapid decline in trypsin content from PZ1 and the flexible enzyme response from PZ2 suggest that L. vannamei is physiologically adapted to transfer to a more carnivorous diet during the mid‐protozoeal stages.     

Complete and partial replacement of Artemia nauplii by Moina micrura during early postlarval culture of white shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti)

Growth rate, soluble protein content, osmotic stress and digestive enzyme activity were studied in early Litopenaeus schmitti postlarvae under different feeding regimens, by partially or completely replacing Artemia nauplii with Moina micrura. Growth was significantly higher in the postlarvae fed with a mixture of M. micrura, Artemia nauplii and algae (0.030 mg dry weight (dw) larva^?1 day^?1, 17.4 ± 2.1% day^?1), together with the postlarvae fed on Artemia nauplii and algae (0.027 mg dw larva^?1 day^?1, 18.3 ± 1.9% day^?1). Complete replacement of Artemia nauplii by M. micrura produced the lowest growth rate (0.018 mg dw larva^?1 day^?1, 14.3 ± 1.6% day^?1) and induced the highest protease and α‐amylase activities and lower soluble protein contents. No significant difference among the treatments could be detected in postlarval resistance to osmotic stress. Based on the growth results, soluble protein content, enzymatic activity and osmotic stress resistance, we determined that the partial replacement of Artemia nauplii by M. micrura did not affect the growth, the soluble protein content and the nutritional state in the postlarvae of L. schmitti. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of M.micrura as feed for early postlarvae of L. schmitti.     

Effects of enriched Artemia nauplii on production, survival and growth of the mysid shrimp Mysidopsis almyra Bowman 1964 (Crustacea: Mysidacea)

The effects of enriched Artemia nauplii on larvae production and survival and growth of the mysid Mysidopsis almyra Bowman 1964 are compared. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in production between mysids fed the Artemia nauplii (133 ± 69 mysids day⁻¹) and mysids fed the enriched nauplii (139 ± 82 mysids day⁻¹). No differences in size of newly hatched mysids or mysid growth to 15 days (P > 0.05) were found between the two diets. Survival was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for mysids fed the enriched nauplii (59.1%) compared with mysids fed Artemia nauplii (41.4%).     

Effect of different food items on the survival and growth of Farfantepenaeus paulensis (Pérez-Farfante 1967) postlarvae

The effect of different food items on growth and survival was assessed in four feeding experiments conducted consecutively using distinct Farfantepenaeus paulensis (Pérez‐Farfante) postlarval growing stages: (1) PL₁–PL₄ (i.e. from postlarvae 1‐day old to postlarvae 4 days old); and (2) PL₄–PL₁₀; (3) PL₁₀–PL₁₈ and (4) PL₁₈–PL₃₀. For each trial, 10 feeding treatments were tested in triplicate: Unf, unfed shrimp; Tt, Tetraselmis chuii; Ch, Chaetoceros calcitrans; C, commercial diet; AC, decapsulated Artemia cysts; C+Ph, commercial diet and phytoplankton combination; FA, frozen Artemia nauplii; A, live Artemia nauplii; A+Ph, Artemia nauplii and phytoplankton combination and Mix, mixture of phytoplankton, live Artemia nauplii and commercial diet. Postlarvae feed phytoplankton (i.e. Tt or Ch) exclusively exhibited low growth and survival. The best results for growth and survival were observed in the A, A+Ph and Mix treatments. Frozen Artemia nauplii was found to be suitable for younger postlarvae (PL_1–10), whereas AC may be offered from PL₄ to PL₃₀. In general, the present findings indicated that even at an early postlarval stage, F. paulensis presents a high degree of carnivory, and a diet containing Artemia is recommended.     

Panagrellus redivivus (Linné) as a live food organism in the early rearing of the catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes)

The nematode Panagrellus redivivus (Linné) has been suggested as a source of live food in the rearing of larval fish and shrimp species. This study tested the use of P. redivivus in the early rearing of the bottom‐feeding catfish Synodontis petricola (Matthes). A comparison of feeding rates of 5000–10 000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ showed that fish receiving 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ grew faster than those fed a dry diet, but slower than treatments fed 200 and 600 Artemia larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. Enrichment of nematodes with SuperSelco^® improved fish growth relative to a non‐enriched control treatment, with both treatments receiving 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. In the first two trials, feeding commenced 2 days after hatching. In the third study, fish were fed nematodes 6 days after hatching and there was no difference in growth between Artemia‐fed fish (600 Artemia larva⁻¹ day⁻¹) and fish fed 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹. Thus, it is suggested to feed S. petricola at a nematode density of at least 10 000nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ in order to achieve growth comparable to that of fish fed Artemia, or, alternatively, to feed 5000 nematodes larva⁻¹ day⁻¹ to improve growth relative to that achieved with a dry diet. Furthermore, nematodes may be enriched with essential fatty acids to improve the growth of S. petricola larvae.     

Vibrio spp. Control at Brine Shrimp,Artemia, Hatching and Enrichment

Experiments were conducted to evaluate different prophylactic methods to control the bacterial load in brine shrimp, Artemia, hatching. The first experiment evaluated three treatments to control Vibrio spp. during the Artemia hatching: microalgae (Chaetoceros calcitrans), probiotic (Bacillus spp.), and antibiotic (Florfenicol). In the second experiment, Artemia metanauplius were enriched in distinct treatments with C. calcitrans, probiotic, and emulsion rich in docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acids. Enriched Artemia metanauplius and nauplii (control) were offered to white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, postlarvae (PL₇–PL₁₉). Presumptive Vibrio were quantified in Artemia, PL, and rearing water. Microalgae and probiotic were effective to control Vibrio spp. in Artemia nauplii. The enrichment process increased the Artemia bacterial load but did not affect Vibrio load in L. vannamei.     

Growth, survival, quality and digestive enzyme activities of larval shrimp fed microencapsulated, mixed and live diets

An artificial diet for shrimp larvae was microencapsulated with a polysaccharide blend [66% gum arabic, 17% mesquite gum and 17% maltodextrin 10 dextrose equivalent (DE)]. Microencapsulated diet (MD) was fed to mysis alone, as a co‐feed with the microalgae Chaetoceros cerastosporum and Tetraselmis chuii (mixed) and compared with a live diet (control) of C. cerastosporum, T. chuii and Artemia nauplii. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected in growth rates, development and quality indexes of larvae fed the three experimental diets. All diets supported survival percentages of >90%. Shrimp larvae fed MD and mixed diets had higher specific trypsin activity and soluble protein content than those fed live diet. Amylase activity decreased in larvae fed the mixed and MD apparently due to the carbohydrate composition of the diet. The results indicate that it is possible to substitute a live diet with a microencapsulated one (with a wall composition made up of a polysaccharide blend) in Litopenaeus vannamei mysis.     

Replacement of Artemia franciscana Nauplii by Microencapsulated Diets: Effect on Development,Digestive Enzymes,and Body Composition of White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,Larvae

The effects of two microencapsulated feeds were evaluated on development, growth, survival, proteolytic activity, and biochemical composition of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, larvae. The treatments were: (1) basal microcapsules (BM), (2) microcapsules containing krill hydrolysate (BMK), and (3) live food control (LFC: Artemia franciscana nauplii) with all treatments receiving algae (Chaetoceros ceratosporum and Tetraselmis chuii). No significant differences were found in development index and survival among larvae. Growth rate was significantly higher in larvae fed LFC (15 ± 0.06%/d) as compared with those offered the BM diet (7.5 ± 0.5%/d) with the BMK (11 ± 0.04%/d) treatment producing intermediate results. The activity of total proteases and chymotrypsin decreased significantly after Mysis I (M_I) in larvae fed LFC or BMK. Protein content of larvae increased significantly toward PL₁. The acylglycerides content in M_III fed on LFC (2.3 ± 0.2%/dw) was higher than that M_I fed BM (1 ± 0.01%/dw). No difference was observed in the cholesterol (CH) content of the larvae. The acylglycerides/protein and cholesterol/protein ratios showed a decreasing pattern between M_I and PL₁, indicating that these two ratios were related to ontogenetic shifts. These results demonstrate improvements in microparticulate diets when krill hydrolysates are included in the formulation.     

Co-Feeding of Pacu,Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg (1887), Larvae with Artemia Nauplii and a Microencapsulated Diet

Abstract

Aiming at a precocious substitution of live prey by artificial diet, a 20-day experiment with pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicuslarvae using co-feeding and abrupt weaning strategies was set up. At the end of the experiment, larvae fed Artemia showed the best results (P < 0.05) in weight, total length and biomass, compared with other treatments. Larvae fed exclusively a microencapsulated diet never ingested the diet. Diet ingestion in co-fed and abrupt-weaned larvae was low, but did increase during the experiment; however, Artemia influenced diet ingestion on co-fed larvae. Careful considerations should be given to diet processing and formulation to ensure survival and growth of larvae fed exclusively on prepared diets.     

Successful culture of larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei fed a microbound formulated diet exclusively from either stage PZ2 or M1 to PL1

In three separate experiments, harpaticoid copepods Tisbe monozota (alive and dead) and a microparticulate microbound diet were evaluated as alternatives to live Artemia nauplii as food, beginning at either stage PZ2 or M1, in the larval culture of Litopenaeus vannamei. Larvae were cultured in 2 L round bottom flasks at a density of 150 L^− 1 (Experiment 1) and 100 L^− 1 ( 3.2 and 3.3) at 28 °C, 35‰ salinity and 12:12 LD photoperiod, and fed 4×/day^- 1. Larvae were initially fed a mixture of phytoplankton to stages PZ2 or M1 and then fed either live Artemia, live or dead copepods, or a microparticulate microbound diet. The experiments were terminated and all larvae were harvested when more than 80% of larvae had molted to postlarvae 1 (PL1) within any flask representing any of the treatments. The comparative value of the different diets and feeding regimes was determined by mean survival, mean dry weight and total length of individual larva, and percentage of surviving larvae that were PL1. Trypsin activity of samples of larvae from each treatment was also determined. The microparticulate microbound diet effectively served as a complete substitute for Artemia nauplii when fed beginning at stage M1. When fed at the beginning of the PZ2 stage, survival was comparable to that of larvae fed Artemia, but mean dry weight, mean total length, and percent of surviving larvae that were PL1 generally were significantly less. Responses to the feeding of copepods, whether fed dead or live, as a substitute were generally significantly less than those of larvae fed either the Artemia nauplii or the microparticulate diet. Values of trypsin activity (10^− 5 IU/μg^- 1 dry weight) corresponded to the relative proportions of the different larval stages within a treatment, with higher activity being characteristic of early stages. Previously demonstrated successful results with another species of crustacean suggest that the microparticulate microbound diet has characteristics that should be effective in the culture of the carnivorous stages of other crustacean and fish larvae that are currently fed live Artemia nauplii.     

Evaluation of frozen Umbrella‐stage Artemia as first animal live food for Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) larvae

An alternative larval shrimp feeding regime, in which umbrella‐stage Artemia were constituting the first zooplankton source was evaluated in the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei. In a preliminary experiment, umbrella‐stage Artemia were fed to larvae from zoea 2 (Z2) to mysis 2 (M2) stages to identify the larval stage at which raptorial feeding starts and to determine daily feeding rates. The following experiment evaluated the performance of two feeding regimen that differed during the late zoea/early mysis stages: a control treatment with frozen Artemia nauplii (FAN), and a treatment with frozen umbrella‐stage Artemia (FUA). The ingestion rate of umbrella‐stage Artemia increased from nine umbrella per larvae day^?1 at Z2 stage to 21 umbrella per larvae day^?1 at M2. A steep increase in ingestion and dry weight from Z3 to M2 suggests a shift to a raptorial feeding mode at the M1 stage. Treatment FUA exhibited a significantly higher larval stage index (P < 0.05) during the period that zoea larvae metamorphosed to the mysis stage, and a higher final biomass, compared with treatment FAN. Based on these results and on practical considerations, a feeding regime starting with umbrella‐stage Artemia from Z2 sub‐stage can be recommended for L. vannamei larvae rearing.     

Effects of supplementation of decapod zoea to Artemia basal diet on fatty acid composition and digestive gland histology in common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) paralarvae

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of different crab zoeas to enriched Artemia basal diet for Octopus vulgaris paralarvae during the first month of life. Paralarvae were fed using enriched Artemia nauplii alone and Artemia co‐fed either first zoea stages of Grapsus adscensionis or Plagusia depressa. The experiment was carried out over a period of 28 days, in 0.12 m³ tanks with a flow‐through rearing system. Growth in dry weight as well as mantle length and width were assessed weekly. Additionally, prey and paralarvae fatty acid composition and digestive gland (DG) histology were evaluated. Addition of low amounts of crab zoeas (approx. 100 indv. L^?1 day^?1) provided during critical life stages of O. vulgaris proved to be good enough to improve paralarvae growth and survival in comparison with those fed exclusively on enriched Artemia. These results were supported by the finding of a higher number of glycoprotein absorption vacuoles in the DG from paralarvae co‐fed crab zoeas, suggesting a higher feeding activity. In addition, fatty acid analysis of crab zoea showed that these are good sources of dietary arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids during the octopus planktonic life stage, whereas the low docosahexaenoic (DHA) content suggests the use of additional DHA sources or higher zoea densities to meet paralarvae nutritional demand to carry out a successful metamorphosis to benthic life.     

Effects of single and combined microalgae on larval growth, development and survival of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera Theel

The results of the study on the suitable algal feed for the mass rearing of holothurian larvae through hatchery system are presented. Auricularia larvae, after 48 h of fertilization, obtained from induced spawning of Holothuria spinifera, were fed with different algae Isochrysis galbana, Nanochloropsis salina, Pavlova lutheri, Tetraselmis chuii and Chaetoceros calcitrans as well as I. galbana+C. calcitrans to ascertain the effect of single and combined microalgal diet. The rate of feeding was 2 × 10⁴ cells larvae^–1 day^–1 for a period of 9–12 days. The growth rate of 59 μm day⁻¹ with 90% and 43 μm day⁻¹ with 100% occurrence of late auricularia in the larvae fed with C. calcitrans alone and I. galbana+C. calcitrans, respectively, indicated that C.calcitrans itself or in combination with I. galbana is the effective feed for the larvae of H. spinifera.     

Rearing juvenile tench (Tinca tinca L.) under controlled conditions using Artemia nauplii as supplement to a dry diet

A 120-day experiment was performed with 4-month-old juvenile tench [initial mean weight: 0.31 g; total length (TL): 32 mm] to evaluate live Artemia nauplii as supplement to a dry diet for salmonids. All groups received the dry diet. Five treatments, differing in the amount of supplemented Artemia, were tested: without supplement, 450, 900, and 1,800 nauplii g⁻¹ initial fish biomass, and nauplii in excess. Groups that received Artemia supplement had significantly higher survival (between 89.4 and 98.7%) compared to those that received dry diet alone (49.2%), while among them there was no significant difference. Juvenile tench fed the dry diet supplemented with Artemia in excess had a specific growth rate (1.98), weight (3.40 g), and TL (63.90 mm) significantly higher than those in the rest of the treatments. The latter three features were not significantly different under limited co-feeding (450, 900, and 1,800 nauplii g⁻¹ biomass) averaging 1.26 specific growth rate, 1.40 g weight, and 48.50 mm TL. Tench fed the dry diet alone grew significantly less than the rest. Thus, the drawbacks of feeding juvenile tench with dry foods originally formulated for other fish species can be overcome by providing a supplement of Artemia nauplii.     

Effect of Bacillus subtilis on growth development and survival of larvae Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis bacterium, on larval growth and development rate of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) during February 28 to April 8, 2005 in University Putra Malaysia hatchery. Newly hatched larvae of M. rosenbergii were reared with two dietary treatments consisting of newly hatched Artemia salina nauplii with B. subtilis (10⁸ cells ml⁻¹), and newly hatched A. salina nauplii without B. subtilis carried out in triplicate in 60‐L aquarium (50 L⁻¹). After trial, the larvae that fed B. subtilis‐treated Artemia naupli were found to have higher survival and a faster rate of metamorphosis than larvae that were fed with nontreated Artemia naupli. There were significant differences between B. subtilis‐treated Artemia naupli and nontreated Artemia diet in larval growth and development rate of metamorphosis (P < 0.05). Larval survival after 40 days was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the B. subtilis‐treated groups (55.3 ± 1.02) compared with the nontreated groups (36.2 ± 5.02%).     

Preliminary evaluation of the seaweed Gracilaria cervicornis (Rhodophyta) as a partial substitute for the industrial feeds used in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Gracilaria cervicornis meal as a partial substitute for the industrial feeds used in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming. A total of 90 L. vannamei juveniles (0.34 g) were assigned randomly into nine experimental units at a stocking density of 10 shrimp tank⁻¹ and fed a commercial shrimp feed (CSF; 35% crude protein) as a control treatment, a feed made entirely of G. cervicornis (GCM), and a mixture of equal parts of the commercial shrimp feed and the Gracilaria meal (MIX) for 30 days. Over the first 2 weeks of the experiment, the survival was high (100%) in all dietary treatments. However, at the termination of the feeding trial survival decreased to 40% in shrimp fed GCM, significantly lower (P<0.05) than survival of shrimp fed the commercial diet control (CSF) or MIX treatments (100%). The highest growth performance was obtained in the CSF or MIX treatment groups. The absolute growth increase in these groups was significantly higher than for shrimp fed GCM. Similarly, the specific growth rates (SGRs) of shrimp given feeds containing CSF (5.11% day⁻¹) and MIX (4.71% day⁻¹) were significantly greater (P<0.05) than that of shrimp fed GCM pellets (0.44% day⁻¹). The feed efficiency ratios (FERs) were 64 for CSF, 54.3 for MIX and 3.3 for GCM. The results obtained in this study indicated the effectiveness of using G. cervicornis as a partial substitute for shrimp feeds. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the concept that macroalgae can partially substitute for the industrial feeds used in shrimp (L. vannamei) farming has been demonstrated.     

Daily food intakes and optimal food concentrations for red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) larvae fed Artemia nauplii under laboratory conditions

Daily food intakes, optimal feeding regimes and food concentrations for laboratory reared Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) larvae were investigated. Artemia nauplii hatched at standard conditions were used as food. Daily food intakes of zoeae I–IV at 7–8 °C comprised 11.3, 22.4, 33.2, and 41.8 nauplii individuals (ind)^?1 day^?1, respectively, taking into account that wet weight of Artemia nauplii used for the experiments constituted 0.026 mg, dry weight 0.0042 mg. Optimal initial Artemia nauplii concentrations for feeding zoeae I–IV was determined as 400–600, 600–800, 800–1000 and 1000–1200 nauplii L^?1 respectively. Recommendations on using Artemia nauplii as food for red king crab larvae were outlined on the basis of experimental results. Growth, development and survival rates of zoeae I–IV reared in recycling water system at 7–8 °C and fed Artemia nauplii according to these recommendations were described.     

Effects of temperature, stocking density and diet on the growth and survival of juvenile Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae)

Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards) has demonstrated a great potential for ornamental aquaculture and the present study tests the effects of temperature, stocking density and diet on the survival and growth of M. forceps juveniles. For 28 days post metamorphosis (DPM), the newly metamorphosed juveniles were reared at two temperatures (25±0.5 or 28±0.5°C), stocked at five densities (1, 5, 15, 30 or 60 crabs ring⁻¹; approximately 226, 1132, 3395, 6791 or 13 581 crabs m² respectively) and fed with commercial pellets (CP), microalgae (Amphora spp.), live newly hatched Artemia nauplii (NHA), frozen Artemia nauplii (FNHA), or combinations of each of these diets with NHA. At the end of the temperature experiment, carapace width of the crabs cultured at 28°C was significantly larger than the crabs reared at 25°C and average intermolt period was significantly shorter. Increased stocking density had a negative effect on survivorship and growth. Survivorship at the end of the diet experiment was significantly different between the crabs not fed, fed with CP and Amphora and the crabs fed with the other diets. Between the diet treatments, the crabs fed with NHA+Amphora were significantly larger than the ones fed with NHA+FNHA, NHA, FNHA and NHA+CP, and these in turn larger than ones fed with Amphora.     

Effects of different food items on the culture of the mysid shrimp Mysidopsis almyra (Crustacea: Pericaridea) in a static water system

The effects of several food items on larvae production and survival ofthe mysid Mysidopsis almyra were compared. A total of sixdiets were used. The diets were: 1) phytoplankton (Isochrysisgalbana), 2) an artificial diet (Liqualife®, Cargill,Minneapolis, MN), 3) a mixed diet composed of both zooplankton (mostlycopepods)and phytoplankton, 4) 750 mg g^–1 of HUFA enrichedArtemia nauplii and 250 mgg^–1 of the artificial diet, 5) newly hatchedArtemia nauplii (24-hour incubation at 28°C) and 6) newly hatched Artemia naupliienriched with HUFA (SELCO®, INVE Inc., Ghent, Belgium) for 12 hours. Mysidsfed HUFA enriched Artemia nauplii (diet 6) had the highestproduction and survival rates, although not significant (P > 0.05), comparedto diets 3, 4 and 5, while the phytoplankton and the artificial diet hadsignificantly lower production and survival rates (p > 0.05).