Larvae evolution III

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Fish larvae are among the smallest free-living forms of vertebrates and exhibit fascinating growth potential. In fish aquaculture, the larval phase has traditionally been considered the most sensitive period. The vulnerability at this stage has been a powerful driving force for fundamental and applied research. The development of basic larvae culture procedure based on feeding with live feed, such as rotifers and Artemia abound 1980s allowed a constant supply of fry to support the increasing fish farming production. Research on fish larvae biology has continued and our basic knowledge and rearing methodologies has improved. However, there are still large knowledge gaps and the rearing process is far from optimal. The improved development of fry production is essentially affected by the efficiency of first feeding regimes and the high nutritional quality of early weaning diets. Both live preys and microdiets should meet the nutritional requirements of each species to ensure the best growth and survival rates. During the past few decades, extensive efforts have been made to develop microdiets as a complete or partial substitution for live feed. The majority of the studies have focused on the larvae’s nutritional requirements, but complete replacement of live feed at first feeding is not yet feasible for most marine species. Therefore, this particular study is trying to create a more acceptable microdiet in marine aquaculture, specifically for sea bass, fish species with an important commercial value in aquaculture industry in Mediterranean countries like Spain, Greece, Turkey, etc. Specifically, the study will generate important information about optimum lipid/phospholipid content and how these are affecting the fish welfare and growth.