Lipid classes and fatty acids during embryogenesis of captive and wild silverside (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chirostoma estor estor</Emphasis>) from Pátzcuaro Lake

Lipid classes and fatty acid levels were analyzed in freshly fertilized eggs, early and late embryo development, and freshly hatched larvae obtained from wild and captive silverside Chirostoma estor estor broodstock, as well as in plankton, Artemia, and pelleted feed. The concentration of triglycerides (TGs) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in neutral lipid fraction significantly decreased during early development and especially after hatching, whereas phospholipids and HUFA in polar lipid fraction remained constant. These results indicate that TGs rather than PLs are used as energy sources and that all HUFAs [20:4n-6/arachidonic acid (ARA), 20:5n-3/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 22:6n-3/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] of polar lipids are selectively conserved during early development. High levels of DHA (30%, on average, of total fatty acids) and low levels of EPA (4%) were observed in eggs, embryos, and larvae and did not reflect the proportions of these fatty acids in food. Preferential accumulation of DHA from food consumed by broodstock, and then transference to eggs, was probably occurring. The main difference between eggs from both origins was a low level of ARA in eggs from captive fish (4% of total fatty acids) compared to wild fish (9%). This could be associated with a deficiency in the diet that is not compensated for by desaturation/elongation of 18:2n-6 and, possibly, with greater stress in captive fish. In any case, particular requirements of ARA should be determined to optimize the culture of C. estor.     

Effects of a mix of Bacillus sp. as a potential probiotic for Florida pompano,common snook and red drum larvae performances and digestive enzyme activities

This study examined the effect of a commercial mix of Bacillus sp. on survival, growth and digestive enzyme activities of Florida pompano, red drum and common snook. Larvae were fed either live feed enriched with Algamac 3050 (Control), Algamac 3050 and probiotics (PB), or the previous diet combined with a daily addition of probiotics to the tank water (PB+). Survival was not affected by the treatments for any of the species. At the end of the pompano and snook trial, standard lengths of larvae from the PB and PB+ treatments were significantly greater than for the control larvae. Microbiological analyses were performed at the end of the pompano trial, and numbers of presumptive Vibrio were not a concern in the system. For both pompano and snook, trypsin‐specific activity was higher in PB and PB+ larvae compared with the control larvae. Similarly, alkaline phosphatase activity was higher for the pompano larvae fed the PB and PB+ treatments and for the snook larvae fed the PB+ treatment compared with the control larvae. This experiment suggests that a mix of Bacillus sp. can promote growth through an early maturation of the digestive system during the early larval stages of pompano and snook.     

Development of a broodstock diet to improve developmental competence of embryos in European eel,Anguilla anguilla

We examined the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the production of embryos and hatched larvae in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Two diets with high and intermediate levels of ARA and low and intermediate levels of EPA (Feed 1: ARA 1.9%, EPA 4.2%; Feed 2: ARA 1.2%, EPA 5.1% of total fatty acids) were tested against a commercial diet (DE: ARA: 0.5%, EPA: 8.2% of total fatty acids). After 24 weeks of feeding, ARA levels in the muscles and ovaries increased to 0.9% and 1.3% of total fatty acids, respectively, in Feed 1 and were significantly higher than in Feed 2 and DE. Female broodstock was not fed during hormonal treatment to induce vitellogenesis and ovulation. EPA levels in females fed the test diets decreased in the both muscle and ovary and were significantly lower in eggs from females fed Feed 1. The highest percentage of stripped females, producing viable eggs and larvae, were those females fed the highest dietary ARA levels (Feed 1). The level of lipid peroxidation products in eggs was similar among treatment, indicating that the lowest dietary levels of vitamin C and vitamin E were sufficient. In the unfertilized eggs, ARA levels were also highest (1.1% of total fatty acids) in the diet with highest ARA levels (Feed 1).     

Estimation of Arachidonic Acid Requirement for Improvement of Pre‐maturation Growth and Egg and Larval Quality in the Female Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus; Pallas, 1770): A Model for the Anabantidae Family

This study investigates the dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) requirement from juvenile to maturation stage in an anabantid model fish, the blue gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. Specifically we determined the optimum dietary ARA content to maximize juvenile growth and subsequent sexual maturation and to improve the quality of their eggs and offspring. Five experimental diets containing 0.02, 0.53, 1.05, 1.60, and 2.12% ARA (of dry weight) were fed to juveniles over 5 mo. The results showed that whole‐body fatty acid profile of broodstock significantly changed in fish fed diets of different ARA content (ANOVA, P < 0.003). The highest contents of 18:2n‐6 and Σn‐6 were obtained in fish fed 0.53% ARA, and a decreasing trend was observed with elevated dietary ARA levels. Monthly specific growth rate (SGR) measurements revealed significant differences in the juvenile stage, but the SGR of broodstock was unaffected by dietary ARA. Protein and ash content of whole‐body broodstock showed no differences among groups, while lipid content decreased as ARA levels increased. Maximum volume of the oocyte was obtained in the 1.05% ARA group, while the yolk sac size increased as dietary ARA increased. The optimum growth and survival of the larvae produced by broodstock were recorded in the 2.12 and 1.6% ARA groups, respectively. It was concluded that despite the presumed ability of freshwater fish to synthesize and meet their highly unsaturated fatty acid requirements, dietary ARA higher than 1.05% had significant stimulatory effects on growth of juveniles but no obvious influence on the growth of matured fish. Also, higher ARA levels (1.6–2.12%) were found to improve the quality of eggs and offspring.     

Effects of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid on growth, survival, pigmentation and fatty acid composition in Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae during the Artemia feeding period

We examined the effect of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) on growth, survival, pigmentation and fatty acid composition of Senegal sole larvae. From 3 to 40 days post‐hatch (dph), larvae were fed live food that had been enriched using one of four experimental emulsions containing graduated concentrations of EPA and constant docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n‐6). Final proportions of EPA in the enriched Artemia nauplii were described as ‘nil’ (EPA‐N, 0.5% total fatty acids, TFA), ‘low’ (EPA‐L, 10.7% TFA), ‘medium’ (EPA‐M, 20.3% TFA) or ‘high’ (EPA‐H, 29.5% TFA). Significant differences among dietary treatments in larval length were observed at 25, 30 and 40 dph, and in dry weight at 30 and 40 dph, although no significant correlation could be found between dietary EPA content and growth. Eye migration at 17 and 25 dph was affected by dietary levels of EPA. Significantly lower survival was observed in fish fed EPA‐H diet. Lower percentage of fish fed EPA‐N (82.7%) and EPA‐L (82.9%) diets were normally pigmented compared with the fish fed EPA‐M (98.1%) and EPA‐H (99.4%) enriched nauplii. Tissue fatty acid concentrations reflected the corresponding dietary composition. ARA and DHA levels in all the tissues examined were inversely related to dietary EPA. This work concluded that Senegal sole larvae have a very low EPA requirement during the live feeding period.     

Fatty acid nutritional quality of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) eggs and endotrophic larvae: relevance for feeding of marine larval fish

Sea urchin eggs and larvae have been suggested as potential live prey for marine fish larval feeding. This study evaluated the fatty acid composition of Paracentrotus lividus eggs, prisms and four-armed plutei, obtained from wild and captive broodstocks fed on raw diets: maize, seaweed and a combination of maize and seaweed. Amounts of essential fatty acids (EFA) for marine fish larvae [arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)] were determined in eggs and endotrophic larvae. ARA ranged from 3.93% in eggs from combination to 18.7% in plutei from maize diets. In any developmental stage, EPA amounts were always lower than 5% for the raw diets, and DHA showed null or trace amounts including the wild diet. Thus, broodstock-prepared diets had to be formulated based on different lipid sources (Algamac, linseed oil, cod liver oil and olive oil) in order to test eggs and larvae EFA enhancement. EFA improvement was possible for all tested prepared diets. Algamac diet lead to superior EFA enhancement mainly in DHA (7.24%, 4.92% and 6.09% for eggs, prisms and plutei, respectively) followed by cod liver oil diet. Only these two lipid sources should be considered for prepared broodstock diets in order to obtain suitable live prey for fish larval feeding.     

Arachidonic acid, arachidonic/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio, stearidonic acid and eicosanoids are involved in dietary-induced albinism in Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis)

Senegal sole larvae were fed live prey enriched with different amounts of arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n‐6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) to re‐evaluate the effect of these two fatty acids on flatfish pigmentation. Echium oil, a plant‐derived oil rich in gamma‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐6) and stearidonic acid (18:4n‐3) was also used as a component of one of the enrichment emulsions. Although ARA content did not have any effect on growth there was a clear influence on pigmentation that correlated clearly with prostaglandin production. Inclusion of Echium oil, on the contrary, exerted a positive effect on pigmentation rate even though dietary ARA levels were as high as in the other emulsions. The relationships between dietary ARA levels and dietary ARA/EPA ratio, prostaglandin production and pigmentation are discussed.     

黄颡鱼早期发育阶段受精卵和鱼体脂肪酸组成变化

研究了黄颡鱼受精卵孵化期间和仔鱼发育阶段脂肪含量和脂肪酸的组成变化规律.采用常规化学分析方法和气相色谱法对黄颡鱼从鱼卵受精开始至仔鱼孵化后未投饵的7 d内的脂肪含量和脂肪酸组成进行测定.结果表明,受精卵在整个孵化期间脂肪含量有下降趋势.受精卵中不饱和脂肪酸含量大于饱和脂肪酸含量.受精卵在整个孵化期间各种脂肪酸含量无明显变化.仔鱼孵化后,鱼体总脂肪含量急剧下降,总脂含量从0日龄的4.57%降低到7日龄的0.75%.仔鱼在饥饿期间鱼体脂肪酸组成发生明显变化,单不饱和脂肪酸含量下降最为明显,尤其是C18:1.仔鱼在饥饿期间,脂肪酸按n-9>n-6>n-3顺序被先后利用,黄颡鱼仔鱼发育阶段主要以单不饱和脂肪酸作为能量代谢基质,而C20:4n6(AA)和C22:6n3(DHA)优先于C20:5n3(EPA)被保存下来.     

Biochemical changes during vitellogenesis in the red claw crayfish,Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)

Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) females at different stages of vitellogenesis were sampled to investigate variations in soluble protein, lipid and water content and in the amino acid and fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas and ovaries. During vitellogenesis, the changes in the content of soluble proteins and lipids in the hepatopancreas and ovaries were dependent on both diet and the reserves from the hepatopancreas. However, in comparison to the ovary, the fluctuation of the amino acid composition in the hepatopancreas suggested that the protein resources mobilized from this organ was compensating for those gained from feeding. Changes in the fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas showed limited compensatory function as for the quick accumulation of lipids in the ovaries. The proportional amounts of saturated fatty acids/mono‐unsaturated fatty acids/poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the predominant fatty acids in both tissues indicated that the mobilization and utilization of fatty acids in freshwater species are different from that in marine species. Based on the redclaw's feeding habits, the commercial pellets used in this study may not be optimal, and a diet with less PUFA may suffice for its vitellogenesis and reduce the feeding costs.     

Influence of highly unsaturated fatty acids in live food on larviculture of mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador 1949)

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels in rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia on the survival, development and metamorphosis of mud crab Scylla paramamosain larvae. Five different lipid emulsions, varying in the level of total n‐3 and n‐6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), DHA, EPA and ARA were used to manipulate the fatty acid profile of the live food. Fatty acid profiles of the live food and crab larvae at zoea one, three and five stages were analysed to study the HUFA uptake by the larvae. The fatty acid content of the live food affected the fatty acid profiles of the crab larvae. In both experiments, the survival rate in the zoeal stages was not statistically different among treatments. However, larval development rate and metamorphosis success were affected by the dietary treatments. In this respect, the DHA/EPA ratio in the live food seems to be a key factor. Enrichment emulsions with a very high (50%) total HUFA content but a low DHA/EPA ratio (0.6), or zero total HUFA content caused developmental retardation and/or metamorphosis failure. An emulsion with a moderate total HUFA (30%) and a high DHA/EPA ratio (4) was the best in terms of larval development during the zoeal stages and resulted in improved metamorphosis. Dietary ARA seemed to improve first metamorphosis, but its exact role needs further clarification. For the larval rearing of S. paramamosain, an enrichment medium containing about 30% total n‐3 HUFA with a minimum DHA/EPA ratio of 1 is recommended. Further investigation is needed on the total HUFA and optimum DHA/EPA ratio requirements for each crab larval stage.     

Modification of essential fatty acid composition in broodstock of cultured European eel Anguilla anguilla L

Farmed eels had lower levels of arachidonic acid (20:4 n‐6) (ARA) and higher ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n‐3) (EPA):ARA compared to wild European eels collected from the Baltic Sea and southern Norwegian coast. Eels fed a formulated feed (JD) with a distribution of essential fatty acids (EFA) resembling wild European eel were sampled after 0, 5, 10, 14 and 44 weeks of feeding to examine changes in fatty acid composition (FAC) in ovaries, visceral fat and muscle. The results showed a slow but steady incorporation of EFA. Lipids are incorporated in the oocytes early in oogenesis, and the leading cohort of oocytes is rich in lipid droplets before the onset of vitellogenesis. This indicates that feeding with optimized broodstock feeds should start early to allow the incorporation of EFA in the first cohort of oocytes. At least 14 weeks of feeding is required to change lipid EFA in broodstock eel to resemble EFA in the diet or in wild fish. After 44 weeks of feeding, ARA was significantly higher in the neutral lipids of ovaries (1.9%) compared to visceral fat (1.2%) or muscle (1.0%). EPA:ARA ratios decreased two‐ to threefold in all tissues examined during that time. ARA and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n‐3) (DHA) had accumulated in ovarian polar lipids.     

Growth,survival and fatty acid composition of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) larvae fed on artificial diet alone or in combination with Artemia nauplii

Black catfish (Rhamdia quelen) is a species of interest for aquaculture in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding R. quelen larvae on either only an artificial diet or in combination with Artemia nauplii (AN) on larval performance and fatty acid composition. For 12 days, larvae were fed from first feeding (3 days after hatching, TL = 5.88 ± 0.23 mm) with artificial food only or a combination of artificial food and AN (co‐feeding). At the end of the trial, total length of co‐fed larvae was significantly higher than that of larvae fed solely artificial food (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in survival rates. Co‐feeding microdiet with a small amount of AN significantly affected larval fatty acid composition. Lipid and fatty acid composition of food and larvae revealed the importance of n‐3 fatty acids for growth of black catfish larvae and that, as most freshwater fish, R. quelen larvae can elongate and desaturate linolenic acid to n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. Results suggest that R. quelen larvae can be fed from first feeding on microdiets as unique food source, although better larval performances are obtained by co‐feeding with a small amount of AN.     

Effects of dietary arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids on common dentex (Dentex dentex Linnaeus 1758) larval performance

Oily emulsions containing constant levels of total fatty acids (FAs) and varying eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were used to enrich rotifers. Common dentex larval survival and growth were compared between groups fed different enriched live prey. Growth, survival rate, and lipid composition of larvae suggest that feeding common dentex in the first 15 days posthatching with 2.5–3% EPA, 6–8% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and DHA/EPA ratio of 2.0–2.5 is sufficient to fulfill their EPA requirements. Higher amounts of dietary EPA did not result in any significant improvement in growth or survival. EPA requirement during this period of larval development does not seem to be as critical as other FAs during the first 15 days of common dentex larval development, but it does not exclude its essentiality later in development. In the case of ARA, nutritional requirements are low compared to other marine finfish species, with the upper limit of this essential FA being around 2% of total FAs provided in the live prey composition.     

Importance of the relative levels of dietary arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid for culture performance of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae

The effect of different arachidonic acid (ARA) dietary contents at several dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels on the growth, survival and biochemical composition of gilthead seabream larvae was studied to better define the importance of this fatty acid as a function of EPA. Larvae of 18 days were fed one of the five isonitrogenous and isolipidic microdiets with three different EPA (0.3%, 2% and 4%) and ARA amounts (0.1%, 0.6% and 1.2%). Although a dietary increase in either ARA or EPA alone did not improve survival significantly, the increase in both fatty acids significantly enhanced growth and survival, suggesting an optimum dietary value of EPA:ARA close to 4:1.2. Dietary ARA was more efficiently incorporated into larval tissues than EPA. Increased dietary EPA or ARA contents reduced the incorporation of ARA or EPA into larval lipids, indicating their competition as substrates for different enzymes. The possible negative effect of further elevation of dietary ARA and its competition with EPA for phospholipids synthesis deserves further studies in marine fish larvae.     

Importance of dietary arachidonic acid for the growth,survival and stress resistance of larval European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed high dietary docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids

Together with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (ARA) is being considered to be an essential fatty acid in marine fish larval diets. The objective of the present study was to determine the importance of dietary ARA levels for larval European sea bass performance, when EPA and DHA are also present in the diet. Eighteen‐day‐old larvae were fed, for 14 days, gelatine‐based microdiets containing the following ARA levels: 0.3%, 0.6% or 1.2%. Elevation of dietary ARA up to 1.2% showed a positive correlation with larval survival and a significant improvement in the specific growth rates, body weight and total length. Arachidonic acid was efficiently incorporated into larval lipids, even at a higher proportion than that in the diets. Increased accumulation of ARA did not affect the incorporation of DHA or EPA from the diet into larval total lipids. A significant positive correlation was found between dietary ARA levels and survival after handling stress, indicating the importance of this fatty acid in sea bass larvae response to acute stressors. The results show the importance of ARA for sea bass larvae, but higher dietary levels should be tested to determine whether there is a negative effect of ARA in sea bass as reported for other species.     

Effects of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) and arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) on the growth,survival, stress resistance and fatty acid composition in black sea bass Centropristis striata (Linnaeus 1758) larvae

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of the dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to arachidonic acid (ARA) ratio on the survival, growth, hypersaline stress resistance and tissue composition of black sea bass larvae raised from first feeding to metamorphic stages. Larvae were fed enriched rotifers Brachionus rotundiformis and Artemia nauplii containing two levels of DHA (0% and 10% total fatty acids=TFA) in conjunction with three levels of ARA (0%, 3% and 6% TFA). On d24ph, larvae fed the 10:6 (DHA:ARA) treatment showed significantly (P<0.05) higher survival (62.3%) than larvae fed 0:0 (DHA:ARA) (27.4%). Notochord length and dry weight were also significantly (P<0.05) greater in the 10:6 (DHA:ARA) treatment (8.65 mm, 2.14 mg) than in the 0:0 (DHA:ARA) (7.7 mm, 1.65 mg) treatment. During hypersaline (65 g L⁻¹) challenge, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the median survival time (ST50) between larvae fed 10% DHA (ST50=25.6 min) and larvae fed 0% DHA (ST50=18.2 min). The results suggested that black sea bass larvae fed prey containing 10% DHA with increasing ARA within the range of 0–6% showed improved growth and survival from first feeding through metamorphic stages.     

Dynamics of total lipids and fatty acids during embryogenesis and larval development of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Total lipid and fatty acid compositions were determined during embryogenesis and larval development in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis). During embryonic development, perch did not catabolize lipids and fatty acids as an energy source. However, during larval development, there was an exponential relationship between the decrease in total lipids and the duration of starving (r ²=0.9957) and feeding (r ²=1). The duration of the starving period (10 days post hatching) was shorter than the feeding period (35 days post hatching). In both starved and fed larvae, there is an apparent preference in utilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids followed by monounsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids were utilized by neither fed perch larvae nor by starved perch larvae. In starved larvae, palmitoleic 16:1(n-7) and oleic 18:1(n-9) acids were the preferentially monounsaturated fatty acids catabolized and their contribution as energy source from total fatty acids catabolized over the first week was 37.6%. In fed larvae, these 2 nutrients were also the most monounsaturated fatty acids utilized as energy source and possibly also as precursors for others monounsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis. During the same period and among (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids, starved perch utilized less linoleic 18:2(n-6) and arachidonic 20:4(n-6) acids than fed larvae despite the fact that the starved perch were in more unfavorable nutritional conditions. In the case of (n-3) fatty acids, starved larvae utilized more linolenic acid 18:3(n-3) and less eicosapentaenoic 20:5(n-3) acid and docosahexaenoic 22:6(n-3) acid than fed perch. Starved larvae probably spared 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3) for physiological functions.     

Food ingestion,consumption and selectivity of pompano,Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus 1758) under different rotifer densities

The growth, survival, food selection and consumption of pompano larvae under different rotifer densities as well as their colour preference during the rotifer feeding stage were examined in this study. Growth and survival of fish larvae were not significantly affected when rotifer density was between 10 and 20 mL^?1. Fish larvae grew slower at 1 and 40 rotifers mL^?1 than at 10 and 20 rotifers mL^?1, and higher fish survival was achieved when fish larvae were exposed to 10 and 20 rotifers mL^?1. The rotifer density of 1 mL^?1 not only reduced food ingestion during the early stage, but also delayed diet switch from rotifer to copepod nauplii. On 5 days post hatching (DPH), larval pompano ingested more rotifers in dark‐coloured tanks and ingested more rotifers when prey colour was green. Based on the results obtained in the present study, the culture of larval pompano larvae is recommended using dark wall tanks with a feeding density of 10–20 rotifers mL^?1 during the initial feeding stage. This study proposes a management protocol to use appropriate type and quantity of live food to feed pompano larvae in a hatchery rearing condition, which could be applicable to the culture of fish larvae in other marine fish species.     

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.